BIOLOGY 

J-1BRARY 

G 


Frontispiece. 


Painted   Bunting. 


FIELD  ORNITHOLOGY 

OF    THE    BIRDS    OF 

EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA 


Gbarles  3, 


C.  J.  MAYNAKD  WEST  NEWTON  MASS. 


COPYBIGHT 

BY 

CHA11LE8   J.    MAYNARD 
1916 


DEDICATED 
TO    ALL    WHO    LOVE 

TO  STUDY 
LIVING    BIRDS 


377900 


VALEDICTORY 


This  book,  begun  six  years  ago,  has 
greatly  exceeded  in  number  of  pages  the 
original  intentions  of  the  author,  but  this 
will  not,  he  trust,  prove  disadvantageous 
to  the  reader. 

As  the  title  indicates,  all  the  birds, 
excepting  perhaps  a  few  very  recently 
described  forms,  which  occur  between  the 
North  Pole  and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  east  of 
the  Mississippi  River,  are  given.  As  the 
natural  geographical  western  avifaunal 
boundaries  are  the  Great  Plains,  most  of  the 
species  which  occur  east  of  them  are  herein 
included. 

In  its  scope  as  an  exponent  of  field 
characters  it  may  be  regarded  as  a  com- 
panion to  my  Directory  to  the  Birds  of 
Eastern  North  America. 

C.  J.  M. 

West  Xewton.  April,  1916. 


PREFACE. 

Among  the  many  books  written  on  birds 
it  will  be  difficult  to  find  one  which  deals 
wholly  with  these  'beautiful  and  interesting 
creatures  as  they  are  seen  in  the  field.  Pro- 
fessional ornithologists  must,  of  course,  study 
external  and  internal  characters  of  birds  from 
the  specimens  themselves  in  the  hand,  but  to- 
day there  is  another  class  of  ornithologists, 
who  by  far  outnumber  the  professional,  and 
who  want  to  know  living  birds  as  they  ap- 
pear among  the  foliage  of  woodlands  and 
shrubbery,  on  the  shore,  or  upon  the  waters 
of  lake,  pond,  and  river,  or  upon  the  wide 
ocean.  This  class  want  a  book  that  shall 
teach  them  how  they  can  identify  these  birds 
as  they  perch,  or  fly,  or  swim.  It  is  evident 
that  such  a  book,  in  order  to  fulfill  its  mis- 
sion, should  be  written  by  one  who  has  had 
a  wide  experience  with  living  birds. 


4  mEFACE. 

While  he  who  now  undertakes  this  work 
does  not  claim  that  he  knows  living  birds  as 
well  as  he  could  wish,  he  has  had  a  wide  field 
experience  with  them  ;  an  experience  extend- 
ing over  half  a  century,  for  forty  years  of 
which  he  has  been  a  teacher  in  bird  study. 

The  author's  plan  for  this  book  is,  to 
give  only  such  points  in  form,  flight,  habits, 
and  color  which  can  readily  be  seen  with  an 
ordinary  bird  glass,  which  will  serve  to  iden- 
tify the  species  observed,  rigidly  excluding 
all  others.  In  short,  points  that  he  has  been 
teaching  his  pupils  to  see  when  they  have  been 
with  him  in  the  field.  It  goes  without  say- 
ing, that  those  most  conclusive  means  of  iden- 
tification, the  songs  or  other  sounds  uttered 
by  birds  will  not  be  omitted.  Breeding  hab- 
its nests  and  eggs  and  the  young  will  also  be 
noticed.  The  figures  beneath  the  cuts  indi- 
cate the  comparative  size ;  if  there  is  none, 
the  cut  is  life  size. 

In  concluding  the  author  wishes  to  give 
credit  for  the  idea  from  which  this  book  orig- 


PREFACE.  3 

inated  to  his  life-long  friend,  Mr.  T.  0.  Ful- 
ler of  Needham,  and  for  the  encouragement 
to  begin  its  publication  now  to  many  other 
members  of  his  bird  classes, 
c.  J.  M., 

WEST  NEWTON, 

NOV.,  1909. 


WATER    BIRDS.  5 

WATER  BIRDS. 

By  these  we  mean  those  birds  which  live 
on  or  near  water,  both  salt  and  fresh,  and 
which  obtain  their  subsistence  from  it.  They 
are  of  diverse  forms  and  habits  as  will  be 
seen  as  we  proceed.  They  also  belong  to 
widely  different  groups.  While  none  are  giv- 
en under  this  head  which  live  away  from  wa- 
ter, some  which  do  occur  about  it  are  exclud- 
ed in  order  not  to  break  up  natural  group- 
ings. Examples  of  these  may  be  found  in 
the  Kingfishers,  Ospreys,  Phalaropes,  Coots, 
and  Gallinules.  Most  of  the  species  included 
in  this  section  swim  well,  but  exceptions  to 
this  rule  may  be  found  in  the  Frigate  Birds 
which  would  be  as  helpless  as  swallows  if  they 
found  themselves  in  the  water.  Partial  ex- 
ceptions are  seen  in  the  Terns,  but  these  will 
be  mentioned  later.  Most  of  the  young  are 
covered  with  down  when  hatched,  see  plate 
I  for  an  example. 


O  GREBES. 

GREBES. 

Are  birds  which  are  seen  upon  both  salt 
and  fresh  water,  which  when  suddenly  f right* 
ened  dive  instantaneously  and  rarely  fly. 
They  may  be  distinguished  from  most  Ducks 
by  the  short  form,  absence  of  tail,  shown  in 
the  rounded  rump,  more  slender  neck,  and 
pointed  bill.  This  last  named  can  be  seen  by 
close  observation  almost  as  far  as  the  bird 
can  be  distinguished.  From  Coots,  which  they 
somewhat  resemble,  they  may  be  known  by 
the  light  colors  beneath;  Coots  are  dark  all 
over. 

Grebes  ride  lightly  upon  the  water  and 
carry  their  heads  well  over  their  backs,  see 
figs.  1  and  3,  thus  differing  from  Loons  which 
swim  low  and  carry  their  heads  forward.  If 
approached  slowly,  Greb'es  sink  gradually, 
sometimes  leaving  the  head  and  neck  ex- 
posed. But  when  suddenly  alarmed,  they 
dive  like  a  flash,  and  if  much  frightened,  will 
not  reappear  for  a  long  time,  or  will  only  put 
their  bills  out  of  water  in  order  to  breath. 


GREBES.  7 

Occasionally  when  startled  they  patter  along 
the  water,  using  wings  and  feet.  This  move- 
ment sometimes  ends  in  flight  or  a  dive.  On 
account  of  their  rather  singular  behavior, 
these  interesting  birds  are  popularly  called 
Water  Witches,  and  more  objectionably,  Dev- 
il Divers  and  Hell  Divers. 

The  flight  is  swift  and  direct,  with  neck 
and  feet  outstretched.  They  never  dive  from 
the  air,  nor  do  they  ever  voluntarily  appear 
on  land,  and  cannot  rise  in  flight  from  it,  al- 
though they  can  walk  and  even  run.  Their 
cries,  which  are  usually  heard  in  spring,  are 
weird,  hollow,  and  quavering. 

The  nests,  which  are  placed  among  reeds 
on  inland  bodies  of  water,  are  usually  float- 
ing. Eggs,  6  to  8,  greenish,  covered  with  a 
chalky  incrustation  which  is  usually  much 
stained.  Young,  active  when  hatched,  and 
follow  their  parents.  They  are  streaked  with 
whitish  and  dark  brown. 

Although  some  species  of  Grebes  are  gre- 
garious in  habit,  all  at  times,  occur  singly. 
The  males  are  larger  than  the  females. 


8  GREBES. 

1.     HOLBOELL  GREBE 

Our  largest  species,  18  to  20.  The  bill 
is  large,  fig.  2,  hence  the  head  looks  large, 
and  when  the  bird  is  alarmed  is  carried  well 
up,  thus  straightening  the  neck,  fig  1.  The 

Fig.  1. 


Holboell  Grebe.     1-14. 

dark  back  is  relieved  by  the  whitish  under 
parts,  but  the  neck  shows  grayish  in  front. 


Fig.  2. 


Bill  of  Holboell  Grebe. 


GREBES.  9 

The  cheeks  and  sides  of  head  below  the  eyes 
are  decidedly  gray,  but  there  is  a  lighter  spot 
on  either  side  of  the  back  part  of  the  head, 
yet  this  cannot  be  seen  at  any  great  distance. 
The  bird  must  also  be  fairly  near  to  see  that 
the  bill  is  partly  yellow  and  that  it  is  about 
as  long  as  the  head.  There  is  a  white  patch 
on  the  wing  that  may  sometimes  be  seen 
when  the  bird  is  swimming  and  always  as  it 
rises  upright  on  the  water  to  flap  its  wings, 
or  flies,  see  fig.  1.  In  spring  the  neck  shows 
some  reddish.  Not  uncommon  on  salt  water 
and  occasionally  on  fresh,  either  singly  or  in 
small  companies,  from  Oct.  15  to  May  15 
from  Me.  to  N.  J.  Breeds  in  the  Arctic. 

2.     HORNED  GREBE. 

Much  smaller  than  the  Holboell,  12  to 
15.  Carries  the  head  low  and  even  when 
alarmed  does  not  straighten  the  neck  wholly, 
fig.  3.  Is  much  more  silvery  white  on  breast, 
neck  in  front,  and  on  entire  cheeks  below  eye, 
extending  so  far  on  back  of  head  as  to  nearly 
form  a  collar  there.  The  bill  is  shorter  than 


10  GKEBES. 

the  head,  see  fig.  4,  and  darker  than  that  of 
the  Holboell;  the  bird  must  be  near,  howev- 
er, in  order  to  see  this,  yet  I  have  known 
this  species  to  be  so  tame  that  even  the  red 

Fig.  3.  Fig  4. 


Homed  Grebe.     1-14  Bill  of  Horned  Grebe. 

eye  could  be  seen.     There  is  a  white  patch 
on  the  wing  much  as  in  the  larger  species. 

In  diving  the  Horned  Grebe  quite  often 
springs  out  of  water.  It  occurs  in  large  num- 
bers on  salt  water  along  the  coast,  and  in  bays 
and  estuaries,  seldom  singly,  usually  in  small 
companies,  but  not  infrequently  in  flocks  of 
twenty  or  more,  and  is  sometimes  seen  on 
fresh  water.  It  is  by  far  our  most  common 
species,  being  quite  abundant  during  the  fall 


GREBES. 


11 


migration  in  October  and  early  November. 
Some  remain  as  far  north  as  Mass.,  but  the 
majority  pass  the  cold  season  between  south- 
ern N.  E.  and  Fla. 


Horned  Grebe  in  summer.     1-2. 

In  May  this  species  assumes  the  elonga- 
ted feathers  of  the  head  which  gives  it  the 
name  of  Horned  Grebe,  see  fig.  5.  The  head 
is  then  black  above  and  below,  with  a  broad 
line  of  chestnut  on  its  side  which  passes 
through  eye.  The  neck  is  also  chestnut  in 
front  and  this  color  extends  down  on  the  sides 
of  body.  These  colors  can  easily  be  seen  at 
some  distance.  Breeds  chiefly  north  of  U.  S. 


12  GREBES. 

In  studying  the  two  foregoing  species  of 
Grebes,  experience  will  teach  that  while  one 
may  mistake  a  Horned  for  a  Holboell,  one 
rarely,  if  ever,  mistakes  a  Holboell  for  a 
Horned. 

3-    PIED-BILLED  GREBE. 

About  the  size  of  the  Horned  Grebe,  but 
this  is  our  only  species  that  has  the  head  and 
neck  all  around  decidedly  reddish  brown  in 

Fig.  6. 


Pied-billed  Grebe  in  winter.     1-4. 

autumn  and  winter,  and  this  color  extends 
along  the  sides.  The  throat  and  under  parts 
are  silvery  white,  see  fig.  6.  The  bill  is  thick 
and  large,  about  the  size  and  form  of  that  of 
a  domestic  hen.  It  is  brown  in  winter,  but 
becomes  whitish  in  summer  with  a  black  band 


(4KEBES.  13 

crossing  the  middle  which  can  easily  be  seen 
at  some  distance,  see  fig.  7,  and  which  gives 
it  the  name  of  Pied-billed  Grebe.  It  is  also 
called  Dabchick.  The  throat  is  then  black. 

Fig.  7.  Fig  8. 


Pied-billed  Grebe  in  summer;  bird  1-15. 

The  young  when  fully  grown  retain  the 
stripings  on  the  head,  see  fig.  9,  but  the  neck 
is  reddish  brown  much  as  in  the  adult. 

The  Pied-billed  Grebe  may  be  found  on  al- 
most any  fresh  water  stream  or  pond,  if  a  lit- 
tle remote  from  habitations  and  contain 
aquatic  vegetation  into  which  the  bird  may 
retreat  when  alarmed.  It  is  very  rarely  found 
on  salt  water.  It  is  very  common,  especial- 
ly in  Sep.  and  Oct.  in  northern  U.  S.  It  win- 
ters from  the  Carolinas,  south  ward,  and  breeds 
from  Fla.?  northward  into  Canada.  Migra- 


14  GREBES. 

tion  in  spring  takes  place  in  April  upon  the 
breaking  up  of  the  ice.  For  the  differences 
between  the  Pied-billed  Grebe  and  the  Rud- 
dy Duck,  see  that  species. 

Fig.  9. 


Head  of  your  %  Pied-billed  Grebe  taken  Aug.  27. 


LOONS.  15 

LOONS. 

Occur  on  both  fresh  and  salt  water  in 
summer,  but  are  more  common  on  the  latter 
named  in  winter.  They  may  be  distinguished 
from  ducks  by  the  pointed  bill,  long  form, 
and  habit  of  sitting  low  on  the  water.  This 
last  mentioned  habit,  their  method  of  carry- 
ing their  head  in  advance  of  the  body,  not  oft- 
en over  it,  see  fig.  10,  and  the  presence  of  a 
tail,  which  although  short,  can  easily  be  seen, 

Fig.  20. 


Loon.     1-10. 


will  at  once  distinguish  them  from  Grebes. 

Loons  dive  instantaneously  when  much 
alarmed,  and  can  rarely  be  made  to  fly.  They 
slip  under  water  with  the  utmost  ease,  leav- 


16  LOONS. 

ing  hardly  a  ripple  behind,  and  occasionally 
may  be  seen  with  the  head  and  neck  only 
above  the  surface. 

The  flight  is  swift  and  direct.  The  wings 
are  saber-shaped  and  look  small  for  the  large 
body;  but  they  amply  serve  their  purpose, 
and  a  great  Loon  dashing  through  the  air 
with  the  velocity  of  a  hundred  miles  an  hour 
is  a  fine  example  of  gravity  largely  overcome 
by  speed.  The  feet  and  neck  are  outstretched 
in  flight,  fig.  11.  They  cannot  rise  into  air 
excepting  from  water,  and  then  are  obliged 
to  flutter  along  the  surface  for  some  distance 
before  they  can  start.  In  calm  water  they 
may  often  be  seen  paddling  along  the  surface 
by  using  both  feet  and  wings,  "steamboating" 
as  it  is  called.  They  do  this  sometimes  in 
chasing  one  another,  apparently  in  sport. 

Although  the  nests  are  placed  on  land, 
they  are  never  far  from  water,  as  the  birds 
cannot  walk  on  land,  but  are  obliged  to  drag 
themselves  along  by  using  wings  and  feet. 
Eggs,  2,  dark  greenish  brown  heavily  spotted 


LOONS.  *    17 

with  black.  The  young  are  active  when 
hatched  and  covered  with  down,  dark-brown 
above  and  whitish  beneath.  They  dive  well 
when  quite  small,  but  when  very  young  are 
frequently  carried  about  on  the  backs  of  their 
parents.  Both  sexes  are  similar. 

4.     LOON. 

Our  largest  species,  32.  Easily  recog- 
nized in  summer  by  the  blackhead  and  neck. 
There  are  white  markings  on  the  neck  as  giv- 
en ill  the  figure  on  page  15,  which,  Lor/ever, 
cannot  be  discerned  any  great  distance,  but 
the  white  spots  on  the  black  back  are  more 
easily  seen.  These  are  nearly  square  in  form, 
and  are  arranged  in  pairs  at  the  extremity 
of  each  feather  or  near  it,  fig  12.  The  bird 
is  white  beneath,  which  may  be  best  seen  as 
it  rises  to  flap  its  wings  or  turns  partly  over 
when  preening  itself.  In  winter,  when  the 
head  and  neck  are  dusky  above  and  white  be- 
neath, it  may  be  known  from  the  Red-throat- 
ed Loon  by  the  superior  size  and  absence  of 


18 


LOONS. 


spots  above,  fig.  11.  The  bill  is  proportion- 
ately heavier  and  the  head  looks  larger.  The 
neck  and  back  also  look  darker,  and  the  dusk- 
iness extends  down  on  the  sides  of  the  head. 

Fig.  12. 


Feather  from  back  of  Loon  in  somewhat  worn  summer 
dress. 

The  weird  cries  of  the  Loon  are  given 
throughout  the  year,  but  are  more  varied  in 
summer.  At  night  a  single  wailing  note, 
like  "Where"  is  uttered;  to  this  sometimes 
added  another  note,  "are".  At  early  dawn 
a  shorter  sound  is  heard,  terminating  these, 
and  given  with  a  rising  inflection;  all  togeth- 
er then  become,  "Where  are  you?"  The 
alarm  note,  night  or  day,  is,  a  Wa-ou-ou-ar", 
given  nearly  as  one  continuous  cry;  the  flight 


LOONS. 


19 


utterance,  heard  frequently  in  summer,  is, 
"Go-o-o-along\  Besides  these  cries,  all  of 
which  are  given  in  a  minor  tone,  Loons  con- 
verse when  together  by  emitting  low  sounds. 
They  may  be  often  attracted  toward  the  shore 
by  waving  anything  white,  like  a  handker- 
chief, and  will  usually  answer  a  good  mimic- 
ry of  their  cries. 

Fig.   11. 


Loon  in  winter  dress.     1-8. 

Common  in  winter  on  salt  water  along 
the  coast  from  Me.  to  the  Carolinas.  Rare  in 
Fla.  Breeds  from  northern  U.  S.  northward 
on  the  borders  of  lakes  and  ponds.  Occasion- 
ally found  on  fresh  water  during  the  autum- 


20 


nal    migrations   in    Sep.   and  Oct.     Returns 
north  in  April. 

Fig.  13. 


Red- thro  a  ted  Loon  in  winter  dress,  '"steamboating".    1-6. 

5.     RED-THROATED  LOON 

Smallest  of  our  Loons,  26.  Differs  from 
the  Loon  in  being  decidedly  lighter  in  color, 
especially  on  head  and  neck.  In  summer  it 
has  triangular  red  patch  on  the  throat,  and 
this  is  sometimes  (though  rarely)  retained  in 
autumn.  In  winter  the  white  of  the  throat 
extends  up  on  the  sides  of  the  head  to  the 


LOONS.  21 

eye  and  a  little  higher  behind  it,  fig.  13.  The 
back  is  always  marked  with  white  spots  ar- 
ranged in  pairs  much  as  in  the  Loon,  but 
they  are  long,  narrow,  and  placed  obliquely 
with  the  vein  of  the  feather,  fig  14.  In  com- 
paring this  Loon  with  the  Holboell  Grebe, 

Fig.  14. 


Back  feather  of  Red-throated  Loon  in  winter  dress. 

it  is  well  to  remember  that  while  the  Grebe 
at  first  usually  springs  upward  in  diving,  the 
Loon  simply  slips  under  water. 

This  species  is  less  suspicious  than  the 
Loon,  and  sometimes  comes  quite  near  shore. 
Two  or  three  years  ago,  when  the  harbor  off 
Winthrop,  Massachusetts,  was  filled  with 
them,  some  came  so  near  the  sea  wall,  the 
tide  being  high,  that  they  could  be  seen  un- 
der water  as  they  dove  in  pursuit  of  fish,  and 


22  LOONS. 

their  method  of  using  their  wings  as  propel- 
ling agents  could  also  be  seen,  fig.  15. 

Fig.  15. 


Red-throated  Loon  flying  under  water 

The  cries  of  the  Red-throated  Loon  are 
not  dissimilar  to  those  of  the  Loon.  It  breeds 
from  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence  northward, 
chiefly  along  the  coast;  wintering  from  Mass. 
southward,  when  it  is  found  off  the  coast,  in 
bays,  sounds,  etc.  Occasionally  occurs  on 
fresh  water.  Very  common  in  New  England 
in  Nov.  Migrates  south  in  Sep.  and  Oct. ; 
north  in  April.  -  Common  names  for  it  are, 
Cape  Race  and  Scape-grace. 


LOONS.  23 

6.     BLACK-THROATED  LOON. 

Intermediate  in  size  between  the  Loon 
and  the  Red-throated  Loon,  about  28.  Head 
and  neck  above,  grayish,  but  the  throat  and 
neck  below  are  black,  with  longitudinal  white 
lines  down  the  neck  between  it  and  the  gray. 
The  back  is  black  with  small  ovate  spots  of 
white.  The  young  have  the  neck  grayish  in 
front  and  the  back  unspotted,  but  with  each 
feather  broadly  margined  with  bluish  white, 
giving  the  back  a  scaly  appearence.  Breeds 
in  the  Arctic  regions ;  south  in  winter  to  ex- 
treme northern  United  States  only,  where  it 
is  exceedingly  rare.  While  there  does  not 
appear  to  be  any  authentic  record  of  this  un- 
common species  having  been  seen  in  the  Unit- 
ed States,  it  may  be  well  to  watch  for  it,  es- 
pecially on  the  coast,  as  it  could  be  easily  ov- 
erlooked. 


24  AUKS,    MURRES,    PUFFINS,    ETC. 

AUKS,  MURRES,  PUFFINS,  ETC. 

A  group  of  birds  with  bills  of  varying 
forms,  but  all  agreeing  in  having  rather  short 
bodies  and  necks,  and  by  these  characters 
may  be  distinguished  from  all  other  water 
birds.  They  all  occur  on  the  ocean  and  all 
swim  and  dive  well.  They  sit  upright  when 
on  land,  fig.  14;  some  walk  well,  others  move 
with  a  waddling  gait.  The  wings  are  short. 

Fig.  16. 


Razor-billed  Auk  in  summer  dress.     1-8. 

but  the  flight  is  swift  and  direct,  with  very 
rapid  wing-beats.     The  birds  move  with   a 


AUKS,    MURRES,    PUFFINS,    ETC.  25 

swaying  motion  when  flying — thus  differing 
from  other  water  birds — and  can  wheel  read- 
ily in  air.  The  horny  outer  covering  of  the 
bill  is  moulted  in  some  of  the  species,  hence 
the  bill  is  of  a  different  form  in  winter  than 
in  summer.  All  assume  a  special  winter  plu- 
mage. They  nest  in  cavities  on  cliffs  or 
rocky  islands,  but  some  species  often  excavate 
holes  for  themselves.  The  young  are  hatched 
covered  with  down,  but  are  comparatively 
helpless  and  are  fed  by  regurgitation. 

7.     RAZOR-BILLED  AUK. 

Size  about  that  of  the  Ruddy  Duck,  16 ; 
like  that  species  it  often  holds  its  tail  up  when 
swimming.  The  Razor-bill?  however,  has  a 
much  shorter  neck  than  that  of  any  duck, 
while  its  singular  bill  will  always  serve  to 
distinguish  it  when  adult,  fig.  16.  This,  and 
its  manner  of  carrying  its  tail,  are  the  only 
characters  by  which  it  may  be  known  from 
the  Murres  when  at  any  distance,  for  like  it 
they  also  are  black  above  and  white  beneath, 


26  AUKS,    MURRES,    PUFFINS,    ETC. 

with  the  head  all  around  black  in  summer, 
and  with  the  throat  white  in  winter,  fig.  17. 
The  Razor-bill  also  has  a  white  wing  band. 

Fig.  17. 


Razor-billed  Auk  in  winter  dress.     1-8. 

In  regard  to  the  habit  of  cocking  up  its 
tail,  it  will  be  well  to  remember  that  the  Rud- 
dy Duck,  which  usually  carries  its  tail  in  the 
same  way,  does  not  always  do  so  in  windy 
weather,  and  the  Auk  may  follow  its  example. 
Unless  the  tail  is  always  carried  upright  the 
young  Razor-bills  the  first  winter  will  be  dif- 
ficult to  tell  from  Brunnich  Murres  as  then 
the  bill  is  comparatively  slender,  nearly  as 
much  so  as  in  the  Murre. 


AUKS,    MURRES,    PUFFINS,    ETC.  27 

In  common  with  the  Murres,  these  birds 
are  apt  to  sit  in  long  lines  side  by  side  on  the 
water,  and  they  often  fly  in  small  flocks  also 
side  by  side.  Although  usually  silent,  their 
cries  when  given  are  loud  and  harsh. 

Razor-bills  are  found  off  the  coast  in  win- 
ter, generally  not  far  from  land,  sometimes 
so  near  that  they  may  be  seen  from  exposed 
sea  coasts.  Breeds  from  Grand  Menan  north- 
ward, nesting  in  rock  cavities.  Eggs,  one  or 
two,  white,  heavily  spotted  and  blotched  with 
dark  brown.  Winters  from  Mass,  to  N.  J.; 
migrating  north  in  early  March.  Very  com- 
mon, but  not  so  often  seen  from  land. 

8.     MURRE. 

About  the  same  size  and  form  as  the  Ra- 
zor-bill, but  it  may  be  known  by  the  long, 
pointed  bill,  fig.  18.  If  near  enough  when  in 
in  summer  dress,  the  absence  of  the  white 
line  in  front  of  the  eye,  seen  in  the  Razor- 
bill may  be  noted.  The  head  is  soot-brown, 


28  AUKS,    MURRES,    PUFFINS,    ETC. 

all  around  in  summer,  but  in  winter,  when 
the  throat  is  white,  the  head  is  quite  black. 
Also  differs  from  the  Razor-bill  when  on  the 


Fig.  18. 


Bill  of  Murre. 

water  in  not  cocking  up  its  tail.  In  common 
with  the  two  following  species  it  breeds  on 
the  shelves  of  rocky  cliffs  from  the  Gulf  of 
St.  Lawrence  northward.  One  egg  only  is 
laid.  This  is  very  large  for  the  size  of  the 
bird,  pyriform,  varying  in  color  from  white 
to  a  bright  blue-green,  thickly  spotted  and 
lined  with  black.  All  three  species  when  an- 
noyed utter  a  murmuring  note  like  uMur-r~r^ 


AUKS,    MURRES,    PUFFINS,    ETC. 


29 


often  repeated.  They  are  all  gentle,  friend- 
ly, and  unsuspicious.  It  is  possible  to  ap- 
proach within  a  few  yards  of  them  at  any 
time,  and  when  sitting  on  their  eggs  will  al- 
low themselves  to  be  handled  without  show- 
ing much  fear. 

Fig.  19. 


Murre  in  winter  dress.     1-6. 

All  of  the  species  migrate  southward  in 
Nov.  and  northward  in  Feb.  and  early  March. 
The  Murre  winters  from  northern  N.  E. 
northward  off  the  coast.  Although  there 
does  not  appear  to  be  any  specimens  in  col- 
lections which  have  been  taken  as  far  south 
as  Mass.,  it  may  occur  here. 


30 


AUKS,    MURRES,    PUFFINS,    ETC. 


9.     RINGED  MURRE. 

Differs  from  the  Murre  in  having  a 
white  ring  around  the  eye  and  a  line  extend- 
ing back  of  it  along  the  sides  of  the  head,  fig. 
20.  The  range  is  the  same  as  that  of  the 
Murre.  Not  very  common. 

Fig.  20. 


Ringed  Murre  in  summer  dress.     1-2. 

10.     BRUNNICH  MURRE. 

Differs  from  the  Murre  in  having  the  bill 
shorter  and  thicker,  with  the  edge  of  the  up- 
per mandible  swollen  on  the  basal  half  and 
yellow  in  color.  This  may  be  seen  at  some 


AUKS,    MURRES,    PUFFINS,    ETC. 


31 


distance,  fig.  21.     For  comparison  with  the 
Razor-billed    Auk    see    that    species.     Some 

?.  21. 


Bill  of  Brunnich  Murre. 

birds  have  the  throat  nearly  black  in  win- 
ter, but  as  a  rule  it  is  white,  fig.  22.  The  un- 
der side  of  the  wing  is  white,  and  this  shows 
as  the  bird  sways  in  flight.  This  is  the  spe- 
cies which  occurs  off  the  coast  of  Mass,  in 
winter,  and  which  may  often  be  seen  from 
headlands  or  even  beaches  when  it  is  migrat- 
ing. Sometimes  during  severe  storms  it  will 
seek  the  shelter  of  salt  water  estuaries,  and 
is  occasionally  blown  inland.  Winters  from 
Mass,  to  N.  J.  Summer  range  like  that  of 
the  Murre. 


32  AUKS,    MURRES,    PUFFINS,    ETC. 

11.     BLACK  GUILLEMOT. 

The  Guillemots  are  smaller  than  the 
Murres,  13,  and  differ  from  them  otherwise 
in  being  black  throughout  in  summer  with  a 

Fig.  22. 


Brunnich  Murre  in  winter  dress.     1-4. 

large,  conspicuous  white  wing  patch,  which 
in  the  Black  Guillemot  is  wholly,  or  partly, 
divided  by  a  black  wedge,  fig.  23.  In  win- 
ter the  black  above  is  much  mixed  with 
white  in  irregular  mottlings,  and  the  color 
below  is  nearly  or  quite  white,  fig.  23.  The 
white  wing  patch,  however,  is  about  as  con- 
spicuous as  it  is  in  winter.  The  feet  are  crim- 


AUKS,    MURRES,    PUFFINS,    ETC.  33 

son,  showing  in  flight,  or  often  as  the  bird 
dives,  for  it  springs  upward  before  plunging 
beneath  the  water.  It  is  rather  shy,  even  on 

*     Fig.  23. 


Black  Guillemot;  figure  ID  front,  summer;  behind,  win- 
ter, dress.     1-6. 

its  breeding  grounds.  Although  the  winter 
dress  shows  considerable  white,  this  species 
ma3r  be  distinguished  from  the  ducks  which 
show  about  as  much  white,  like  the  Buffle- 
head  and  Oldsquaw,  by  the  pointed  bill  and 
habit  of  carrying  the  head  well  forward  when 
swimming.  Guillemots,  when  at  a  distance, 
quite  closely  resemble  floating  bottles. 

The    Black    Guillemot    breeds  from  the 
coast  of  Me.  northward,  nesting  in  rock  cav- 


34  AUKS,    MURRES,    PUFFINS,    ETC. 

ities;  eggs  2  to  4,  white  or  greenish,  heavily 
marked  with  black  and  .brown.  Note,  when 
disturbed,  a  mournful  whistle ;  also  gives  a 
chuckling  cry.  Common  in  winter  off  the 
coast,  not  far  from  land,  from  N.  E.  to  N.  J. 
Migrates  south  in  early  Oct.,  north  in  April. 
It  is  often  called  Sea  Pigeon. 

12.     MANDT  GUILLEMOT. 

Differs  from  the  Black  Guillemot  in 
having  the  white  patch  on  the  wing  larger, 
and  it  is  never  divided  by  a  black  wedge.  It 
breeds  from  the  coast  of  Labrador,  northward. 
Southward  range  in  winter  not  well  known. 

13.     DOVEKIE. 

The  smallest  of  the  group,  8,  easily  rec- 
ognized by  its  small  size,  short  neck,  and 
small  bill.  It  looks  tiny  on  the  water,  upon 
which  it  rides  buoyantly,  fig.  25.  Like  many 
of  the  allied  species,  the  head  is  black  all 
around  in  summer,  but  the  throat  is  white 
to  the  bill  in  winter,  and  there  is  a  whitish 


AUKS,    MURRES,    PUFFINS,    ETC. 


35 


collar  around  the  neck,  fig.  24.  If  near,  the 
white  tippings  to  the  secondaries  and  the 
white  stripes  on  the  wings  can  be  seen.  The 

Fig.  24. 


Dovekie  in  winter  dress.     1.3. 

wings  are  moved  very  rapidly  in  flight,  and 
when  the  bird  is  going  directly  away  or  com- 
ing head  on  it  resembles  a  winged  ball.  Al- 
though sometimes  found  singly,  it  more  often 
occurs  in  flocks,  from  companies  of  four  or 
five  up  to  gatherings  consisting  of  hundreds 
of  individuals,  but  the  large  flocks  are  usual- 
ly seen  far  out  at  sea. 

The  Dovekie  dives  and  swims  well  under 
water.     It  is  very  unsuspicious  and  friendly. 


36  AUKS,    MURRES,    PUFFINS,    ETC. 

If  caught  it  is  very  gentle,  showing  no  signs 
of  fear,  and  may  be  approached  quite  near 
when  on  the  water.  It  breeds  in  the  far 
north,  migrating  south  in  Nov.  to  winter 

Fig.  25. 


Dovekie  in  winter  dress.     1-8. 

from  Mass,  to  N.  J.,  but  usually  keeps  well 
out  at  sea.  It  is  sometimes  blown  inland  du- 
ring severe  storms  which  occur  when  it  is 
migrating.  Goes  north  in  April.  The  single, 
greenish-white,  unspotted  egg  is  placed  on 
the  shelves  of  rocky  cliffs.  It  is  often  called 
Little  Auk,  and  is  known  to  fishermen  by  the 
rather  singular  name  of  Pine  Knot. 

14.     PUFFIN. 

These  odd  little  birds,  which  are  about 
the  size  of  Teals,  13.  are  easily  distinguished 


AUKS,    MURRES,    PUFFINS,    ETC. 


37 


by  the  grayish  white  cheeks  in  strong  con- 
trast with  the  black  collar  around  the  neck, 
large  head,  much  compressed,  triangular,  red, 
bill,  and  short  neck.  The  top  of  the  head 
and  back  are  black  and  the  under  parts  are 

Fig.  26.       ' 


Puffin  in  summer  dress.     1-4. 

white,  fig.  26.  The  winter  adults  and  young 
have  the  bill  smaller  and  dark  in  color,  but 
it  is  always  triangular  in  form. 

The   Puffin  rides  lightly  on  the   water 
and  is  very  expert  in  diving.     Flight  very 


38  AUKS,    MURRES,    PUFFINS,    ETC. 

very  swift,  with  rapid  wing  beats  and  with 
a  slight  swaying  motion. 

At  all  times  it  is  very  tame,  allowing  a 
near  approach,  and  on  its  breeding  grounds 
is  even  more  fearless.  Although  peaceable, 
friendly  birds,  they  resist  being  handled,  and 
will  bite  fiercely  if  removed  from  their  bur- 
rows, at  the  same  time  uttering  a  croaking 
sound.  The  Puffins  are  the  only  birds  of 

Fig.  27. 


Puffin  in  summer  dress.     1-8. 

this  group  which  stand  upright  on  their  toes, 
without  touching  the  tarsi  to  the  ground,  fig. 

27. 


AUKS,    MURRES,    PUFFINS,    ETC.  39 

The  Puffin  breeds  from  the  Bay  of  Fun- 
day  northward,  nesting  in  holes  of  rocky  cliffs 
or  in  burrows  which  it  excavetes  for  itself  in 
the  soil  on  the  surface  of  islands.  The  sin- 
gle egg  is  white,  usually  much  stained,  occa- 
sionally mottled  with  greenish.  Migrates 
south  in  Oct.  to  winter  from  off  the  coast  of 
N.  E.  to  N.  J.  At  this  season  keeps  well  out 
to  sea.  only  occasionally  approaching  very 
near  land.  Goes  north  in  April.  Common. 
It  is  often  called  Sea  Parrot  and  Paroquet. 

15.     LARGE-BILLED  PUFFIN. 

Not  to  be  distinguished  at  any  distance 
from  the  Puffin,  the  only  difference  being  the 
slightly  larger  size  and  proportionately  larg- 
er bill.  Breeds  in  the  Arctic  regions;  south- 
ward range  in  winter  not  well  known. 

16.     TUFTED  PUFFIN. 

Differs  from  the  Puffin  in  being  sooty 
gray  beneath,  instead  of  white,  in  all  stages 
of  plumage.  In  the  breeding  season  the  sides 


40  PETRELS,    SHEARWATERS,    ETC. 


Audubon  Shearwater  two  days  old. 


TUBE-NOSED    SWIMMERS.  41 

of  the  head  are  ornamented  by  pendant  tufts 
of  silky,  straw-colored  feathers,  fig.  28.     It 

Fig.  28. 


Tufted  Puffin.     1-2. 

breeds  on  the  coasts  and  islands  of  the  North 
Pacific  ;  accidental  in  the  Bay  of  Funday  and 
Kennebeck  Kiver,  Me. 

17.     ANCIENT  MURRELET. 

A  small,  auk-like  bird,  10  inches  long, 
with  form  and  color  much  like  the  Dovekie, 
but  with  a  broad  stripe  of  white  on  either 
side  of  the  back  of  the  head.  Coasts  and  is- 
lands of  the  North  Pacific.  Accidental  in 
Wisconsin. 


42  PETRELS,    SHEARWATERS,    ETC. 

TUBE-NOSED  SWIMMERS. 

These  are  ocean-inhabiting  birds  of  va- 
rying sizes.  The  wings  are  long  and  narrow. 
The  flight  is  strong,  but  the  wings  are  moved 
rather  slowly  with  a  peculiar  downward  beat. 
In  this  group  are  found  some  of  the  strong- 
est flying  birds  known.  The  bill  is  hooked 
with  the  nostrils  opening  into  tubes,  figs.  30 
and  32,  whence  the  group  name.  All  swim 
well,  and  although  some  species  pursue  their 

Fig.  30. 


Bill  of  Fulmar. 

prey  beneath  the  water,  none  are  expert  di- 
vers. When  annoyed,  some  eject  an  oily  flu- 
id from  the  mouth,  which  has  a  strong,  rath- 
ther  disagreeable  odor.  Food,  fishes,  squid, 


TUBE-NOSED    SW1MMEKS.  43 

and  oily  refuse  cast  into  the  water  by  fisher- 
men and  whalers.  Egg,  single,  white  ;  young, 
downy  when  hatched,  but  are  at  first  help, 
less  and  fed  by  regurgitation,  fig,  29. 

ALBATROSSES. 

Very  large  birds  which  live  upon  the 
open  ocean,  remote  from  continental  land. 
The  wings  are  very  long  and  narrow.  The 
nests  are  mound-like  structures  placed  on  oc- 
eanic islands.  All  of  the  species  occur  in 
the  Pacific  or  oceans  of  the  southern  hemi- 
sphere ;  accidental  elsewhere. 

18.     YELLOW-NOSED  ALBATROSS. 

Size,  large,  36.  Grayish  throughout, 
with  the  rump  and  upper  tail  coverts  white. 
There  is  a  dark  spot  before  the  eye  and  be- 
hind it.  Bill,  yellow.  Occurs  in  the  Indian 
and  South  Pacific  Oceans.  Accidental  in  the 
Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence. 


44  PETRELS,    SHEARWATERS,    ETC. 

FULMARS. 

Birds  of  the  open  ocean,  very  seldom  ap- 
proaching land  in  this  section.  Excepting 
in  the  peculiar  flight,  characteristic  of  the 
group,  noted  on  page  42,  they  closely  resem- 
ble gulls,  but  the  bill  is  shorter  and  thicker, 
fig.  30.  Our  species  have  a  light  and  dark 
phase  of  plumage. 

Fig.  31. 


Fulmar.     1-10. 

19.     FULMAR. 

About  the  size  of  a  Ring-billed  Gull,  18. 
The  head,  neck,  and  lower  parts  are  white, 
with  the  back  pale  blue  in  the  light  phase, 
fig.  31,  but  in  the  dark  phase  the  bird  is  sooty 
brown  throughout.  Occurs  on  the  North 


TUBE-NOSED    SWIMMERS.  45 

Atlantic,  breeding  on  St.  Kidda  and  other 
Scottish  islands  that  lie  far  out  to  sea. 
South  on  the  American  side,  in  winter,  as 
far  as  the  Georges  Banks,  where  it  follows 
the  fishing  vessels  to  pick  up  the  oily  matter 
of  fish  cleanings  cast  overboard.  Rarely  ap- 
pears in  sight  of  the  coast. 

20.     LESSER  FULMAR. 
Very  similar  to  the  Fulmar,  but  smaller, 
16,  yet  would  be  difficult  to  distinguish  from 
it  at  any  great  distance.     Range  and  habits 
about  the  same. 

SHEARWATERS. 

Birds  of  the  open  ocean,  but  which  oft- 
en approach  within  a  few  miles  of  the  coast. 
They  are  of  varying  sizes  but  none  are  very 
small.  Differ  from  the  Fulmars  in  having  a 
more  slender  bill,  fig.  32.  Graceful,  easy-fly- 
ing species  which  seldom  rise  high  above  the 
water  and  often  fly  in  small  flocks  close  to 
the  surface,  frequently  in  lines  side  by  side. 


46  PETRELS,    SHEARWATERS,    ETC. 

During  boisterous  weather  they  (as  well 
as  most  other  members  of  the  group)  fly  along 

Fig.  32. 


Audubon  Shearwater. 

the  hollows  of  the  ever-moving  billows,  and 
as  they  roll  under  them,  the  birds  cross  their 
crests  diagonally.  Thus  by  shearing  the  wa- 
ter, they  allow  the  spray,  which  is  driven 
violently  from  the  wave  tops  b3T-  the  fierce 
ocean  winds,  to  strike  on  one  side  of  their  tu- 
bular nostrils.  They  nest  on  islands,  plac- 
ing the  egg  in  rock  cavities,  or  beneath  loose 
slabs  of  stone. 

21.     GREATER  SHEARWATER. 

Rather  large,  about  the  size  of  the  Ring- 
billed  Gull,  but  differs  from  any  gull  in  hav- 


TUBE-NOSED    SWIMMERS.  47 

ing  the  wings  longer  and  more  pointed,  and 
in  the  smoother,  more  gliding  flight.  The 
color  above  is  sooty  brown,  but  this  looks 
nearly  black  at  a  distance.  The  under  parts 
are  white,  and  this  extends  up  on  the  sides 

Fig.  33. 


Greater  Shearwater.     1-d. 

of  the  head,  witha  sharp  line  of  demarkation 
between  it  and  the  black.  The  under  part 
of  the  wing  is  white,  with  axillaries  broadly 
banded  with  black.  This  is  easily  seen  when 
the  bird  flies  near.  The  bill  is  black,  but  the 


48 


PETRELS,    SHEARWATERS,    ETC. 


feet  are  yellowish.  The  primaries  and  tail 
are  black  and  there  is  a  line  of  white  crossing 
the  upper  tail  coverts,  fig,  33. 

It  is  very  light  and  easy  in  flight,  turn- 
ing from  side  to  side  with  so  little  effort  that 
it  appears  to  float  gracefully  in  air.  Breeds 
in  the  Southern  Hemisphere,  but  is  very 
common  off  our  coast  from  May  until  Decem- 
ber. 

Fig.  34. 


Cory  Shearwater.     1-2. 


TUBE-NOSED    SWIMMERS.  49 

22.     CORY  SHEARWATER. 

Differs  from  Greater  Shearwater  in  be- 
ing lighterabove,  in  fact,  rather  ashy  brown, 
the  bill  is  yellowish  and  the  ashy  marking 
above  extend  down  on  the  sides  of  neck  and 
throat  without  any  sharp  line  of  demarcation 
between  it  and  the  white  below,  fig.  34. 

The  Cory  Shearwater  is  an  irregular  vis- 
itor to  our  coast,  but  is  common  some  years. 
From  whence  it  comes  or  whither  it  goes  is 
a  mystery,  for  its  breeding  place  and  entire 
range  is  unknown.  Occurs  off  the  coast  of 
Massachusetts  and  on  Long  Island  Sound  in 
Sept.  and  Oct. 

23.     AUDUBON  SHEARWATER. 

Smaller  than  the  Greater  Shearwater,  12, 
but  generally  similar  in  coloration.  There 
is  an  ashy  patch  in  front  of  the  folded  wing, 
and  a  dusky  space  beneath  the  eye;  otherwise 
the  line  of  demarcation  between  the  sooty 
brown  above  and  white  beneath  is  sharply 
defined,  fig.  34*.  Bill,  rather  slender  and  blue- 
black,  fig.  32. 


50  PETRELS,    SHEARWATERS,    ETC. 

The  downy  young  are  dusky  brown 
above  and  lighter  beneath,  fig.  29.  The  nests 
are  placed  in  cavities  of  rocks,  beneath  loose 
slabs,  in  caves,  and  sometimes  in  the  shelter 
of  creeping  vines.  The  eggs  are  deposited 
from  March  15th  to  April  loth. 

Flight,  swift  and  direct  in  the  daytime 
but  more  erratic  by  night,  when  the  birds 
visit  their  breeding  grounds. 

Cries,  when  the  birds  are  annoyed,  harsh 
and  discordant;  the  breeding  notes,  given  on- 
ly in  the  night,  are  mellow  and  musical. 
They  are  uttered  in  a  minor  tone  when  the 
bird  is  flying,  like^'que-ar-a-var",  accented  on 
the  second  and  final  sylables,  but  mainly  on 
the  second,  with  the  last  prolonged. 

Excepting  when  nesting,  occurs  far  out 
on  the  open  ocean,  and  even  when  breeding, 
is  seldom  seen  within  sight  of  land  in  the  day 
time,  visiting  its  nest  in  the  night  only. 
Audubon  Shearwater  is  found  in  the  warmer 
portions  of  the  Atlantic  Ocean.  Breeds  on  the 


TUBE-NOSED    SWIMMERS.  51 

Bahamas  and  Bermudas,  where  it  is  common. 
Casual  as  far  north  as  Long  Island;  rare  on 
the  Bahamas  in  winter. 

24.  MANX  SHEARWATER. 

Similar  to  Audubon  Shearwater,  but  larg- 
er, 14,  and  with  the  black  of  the  head  extend- 
ing somewhat  below  the  eye,  fig.  35.  Resi- 
dent on  the  North  Atlantic,  but  chiefly  on 
the  eastern  side.  Casual  off  our  coast  and  on 
the  Banks  of  Newfoundland. 

25.  SOOTY  SHEARWATER. 

Similar  in  form  and  habits  to  the  Great- 
er Shearwater  but  sooty  brown  throughout 
(  appearing  black  at  a  distance  ),  darkest  on 
the  wings  and  tail;  palest  beneath^  fig.  35.  Oc- 
curs on  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  breeding  in  the 
Southern  Hemisphere,  occurring  off  our  coast 
rather  commonly  from  South  Carolina  north- 
ward from  July  1st  until  September. 


52  PETRELS,    SHEARWATERS,    ETC. 

Fig.   34*. 


ig.  35*.         Sooty  Shearwater. 


TUBE-NOSED    SWIMMERS.  53 

26.    BLACK-CAPPED  PETREL. 

About  the  size  of  the  Sooty  Shearwater, 
but  the  tail  is  wedge-shaped,  not  rounded  as 
in  that  species.  The  top  of  the  head  and 
upper  parts  are  black  with  the  margins  of 
the  feathers  paler.  There  is  a  large  white 

Fig.  35. 


Manx  Shearwater.     1-8. 

patch  on  the  rump  and  basal  half  of  the  tail. 
The  sides  of  the  head  and  neck  and  the  lower 
parts  are  pure  white.  Occurs  in  the  warmer 
parts  of  the  Atlantic;  stragglers  have  been 
taken  in  Florida,  Virginia,  New  York,  Ver- 
mont, and  Ontario. 


54  PETKELS,    SHEARWATEKS,    ETC. 

27.  SCALED  PETREL. 

About  the  size  and  form  of  the  black- 
capped  Petrel.  Dark  bluish  ash  above  with 
most  of  the  feathers  broadly  margined  with 
ashy  white,  giving  the  bird  a  scaly  appear- 
ence. 

White  beneath,  irregularly  and  rather 
finely  banded  with  grayish.  Known  only 
from  a  single  specimen  which  was  obtained 
in  a  plowed  field,  Livingston  Co.,  New  York, 
in  April,  1880. 

28.  BULWER  PETREL. 

A  small  bird,  10  long,  with  a  doubly 
wedge-shaped  tail.  Sooty  brown  through- 
out, somewhat  paler  beneath  and  in  a  patch 
on  wing.  Occurs  in  Europe,  Africa  ;  occasion- 
al in  Greenland  and  accidental  in  Bermuda. 

29.    STORMY  PETREL. 

The  smallest  of  our  Petrals,  about  5.50 
long.  The  tail  is  square.  Sooty  black 
throughout,  including  bill  and  feet,  with  a 


TUBE-NOSED    SWIMMERS.  55 

white  patch  of  varying  size  on  the  under  side 
of  the  wing.  Occurs  on  the  North  Atlantic; 
south  to  the  banks  of  Newfoundland  and  west 
coast  of  Africa.  Bare  in  summer. 

30.     LEACH  PETREL. 

8  long.  Sooty  black,  paler  beneath  and 
in  a  spot  on  the  middle  wing  which  shows  dis- 
tintcly  at  a  distance.  Spot  on  rump  white. 
The  bill  is  quite  large,  fig  36,  and  the  wholly 


Bill  of  Leach  Petrel. 

black  feet,  when  outstretched,  do  not  reach 
to  the  tip  of  the  tail,  fig.  37.  This  and  the 
next  species  fly  lightly  over  the  water  near 
the  surface  with  a  dancing  somewhat  erratic, 
but  very  graceful  movment,  occasionally  pat- 
tering on  the  water  with  their  feet,  especially 
when  picking  up  food. 

The  Leach  Petrel   occurs  on  the   north 
Atlantic  and  north  Pacific  Oceans,  breerlinsr 


56 


PETRELS,    SHEARWATERS,    ETC. 


on  our  coast  from  Maine  northward  in  June, 
nesting  usually  in  burrows  which  it  digs  for 
itself  in  the  peaty  soil  of  islands,  or  occasion- 
ally on  the  face  of  earthy  or  sandy  cliffs  like 
Bank  Swallows.  Common  from  June  until 
October.  Winters  south  of  our  limits. 

Fig.  37. 


Leach  Petrel.  1-3. 

31.     WILSON  PETREL. 

A  little  smaller  than  Leach  Petrel,  but 
looks  much  darker  as  it  is  without  the  light 


TUBE-NOSED  SWIMMERS.  57 

patch  in  the  wing.  The  outstretched  feet 
reach  at  least  as  far  as  the  tip  of  the  tail, 
(fig.  38),  and  the  webs  of  the  toes  are  nearly 
yellow.  The  bill  is  smaller,  fig.  39.  Spot 
on  rump  white.  Occurs  on  the  north  and 

Fig.  38 


Wilson  Petrel.      1-3. 


south  Atlantic  and  Southern  Oceans.  Breeds 
on  Kergulen  Island  in  Feb.  Abundant  off 
the  eastern  coast  of  the  United  States  from 
June  until  Sept. 


58  TOTIPALMATE    SWIMMERS. 

32  WHITE  BELLIED  PETREL. 

8.50.  Tail  emarginate.  Black  or  dusky 
above  and  on  throat.  Belly  and  under  tail 
coverts  white.  Intertropical  seas,  north  oc- 
casionally to  the  coast  of  Florida. 

33.     WHITE-FACED  PETKEL. 

About  the  size  of  the  White-bellied  Pe- 
trel. Dark  above  with  the  upper  tail  cov- 
erts ashy.  Forhead,  line  over  eye,  and  low- 
er parts  white.  Southern  Seas,  accidental 
off  the  coast  of  Massachusetts. 

TOTIPALMATE  SWIMMERS. 

This  is  a  group  of  easily  recognized 
birds.  They  are  of  somewhat  varying  size 
but  none  are  very  small,  while  others  are 
quite  large. 

The  external  characters  possessed  in 
common,  and  which  bind  the  group  togeth- 
er, are,  hind  toe  connected  to  the  anterior 
toes  by  a  web,  fig.  39,  and  a  more  or  less  well 


TROPIC    BIRDS.  59 

developed  extensible  pouch  beneath  the  bill 
(gular  sac),  fig.  40,  with  other  minor  charac- 
ters. The  young  are  hatched  naked,  fig.  41; 
but  are  soon  covered  with  down.  They  are 
helpless,  being  at  first  fed  by  regurgitation 
and  do  not  fly  until  nearly  or  quite  fully 
grown;  they  subsist  wholly  upon  fish. 

The  order  may  be  divided  into  well  es- 
tablished natural  groups  as  follows:- 

TROPIC  BIRDS. 

These  are  perhaps  the  smallest  of  the 
Totiplamate  Swimmers.  In  them  the  gula 
sac  is  reduced  to  the  minimum  size ;  the  beak 
is  comparatively  small,  not  hooked  at  the 
end  but  pointed  like  those  of  the  terns,  fig.. 
40.  In  fact,  the  birds  have  a  very  tern- 
like  appearence,  but  differ  from  them  in 
having  the  central  tail  feathers  greatly  elon- 
gated and  projecting  from  beyond  the  oth- 
ers, fig.  42.  The  feet  are  small,  fig.  43. 


60  TOTIPALMATE    SWIMMERS. 

The  single  egg  is  placed  in  a  cavity  of 
rocky  cliffs  on  ocean  islands.     It  is  purplish 

Fig.  39. 


Wilson  Petrel. 

brown  spotted  with  darker  brown.  The 
downy  young  are  at  first  wholly  white  then 
dark  feathers  appear  on  the  back. 

Fig.  40. 


Bill  of  White  Pelican. 

The  flight  is  steady  and  direct  with  rapid 
wing-beats,  but  the  birds  can  turn  in  air 
and  circle  with  ease.  They  procure  their  prey 
by  diving  like  terns.  Their  cries  are  loud 
and  harsh.  Gregarious  when  breeding,  but 
solitary  at  other  times.  Tropical  and  sub- 
tropical in  distribution.  The  sexes  are  sim- 
lar. 


TROPIC    BIRDS. 


61 


Fig.  41.     Young  Gaimet.  unfledged. 


62 


TOTIPALMATE    SWIMMERS. 


34.     YELLOW-BILLED  TROPIC  BIRD. 

Body  about  the  size  of  that  of  the  Laugh- 
ing Gull,  but,  including  the  long  central  tail 
feathers,  the  bird  is  29  long.  White  through- 
out, well  tinged  with  salmon-pink  which  be- 
comes deeper  on  the  elongated  central  tail 
feathers.  There  is  a  small  curved  patch  of 
black  on  either  side  of  the  head,  two  on  the 
back,  and  one  near  the  tip  of  either  wing. 


Fig.  39. 


Fig.  43. 


Totipalmate  foot  of  Cormorant.     Foot  of  Tropic  Bird.    1-2. 

The  young  are  without  the  elongated  central 
tail  feathers,  and  are  more  or  less  banded 
with  black.  The  bill  and  feet  are  yellow, 
with  most  of  the  toes  and  webs  of  the  latter 
black,  fis.  43. 


TROPIC    BIRDS. 


63 


Breeds  in  the  Bermudas,  Bahamas,  and 
West  Indies  in  May.  Occurs  occasionally  in 
Florida,  and  was  once  taken  in  western  New 
York. 

Fig.   40. 


Head  of  Tropic  Bird.     1-2. 

Unless  feeding,  or  about  its  breeding 
ground,  the  Tropic  Bird  flies  high  over  the 
water,  moving  with  a  direct  flight. 


64  TOTIPALMATE    SWIMMERS. 


Fig.  41*.     Young  Cory  Garmet,  partly  fledged. 


TOTIPALMATE    SWIMMERS.  65 

35.     RED-BILLED   TROPIC  BIRD. 

Differ  from  the  Yellow-billed  in  being 
larger,  34,  in  having  the  bill  coral  red  and 
the  elongated  tail  feathers  white.  Occurs 
along  the  coasts  of  Tropical  America.  Breed- 
ing on  the  islands  in  the  Gulf  of  California. 
Accidental  on  the  Newfoundland  Banks. 

GANNETS 

These  are  Ocean  Birds  of  from  moderate 
to  large  size.  They  are  usually  white  with, 
black  or  brown  primaries,  or  are  sometimes 
wholly  brown.  There  is  a  naked  space  in 
front  of  the  eye,  around  it,  and  at  the  base 
of  the  bill,  but  the  gular  sac  is  not  very  well 
developed  The  bill  is  pointed  and  the  tail  is 
long. 

The  nests  are  placed  on  the  ground,  on 
rocks  or  on  trees.  They  are  bulky  struct- 
ures, composed  of  sticks  sea-weed,  and  other 
coarse  material.  The  eggs  are  one  or  two, 
white,  and  covered  with  a  chalky  incrusta- 
tion. 


66  GAXNETS. 

The  flight  is  steady  and  direct  with 
necks  outstretched  and  rapid  wing  beats,  but 
the  birds  can  turn  in  air  with  ease.  They 
procure  their  prey  by  diving  directly  down- 
ward, often  from  a  considerable  height,  be- 
coming completely  submerged  in  the  wa- 
ter. 

The  feet  are  usually  wholly  concealed  in 
flight.  The  birds  walk  well  and  perch  on 
trees  with  ease.  Sexes,  similar.  The  young 
in  the  down  are  white. 

36.     GANNET. 

A  large  bird  of  a  peculiar  silvery  white 
but  becomming  buff  about  the  head  and 
neck.  The  primaries  look  black  and  the  bill 
whitish.  Fig.  44.  The  young  are  dark- 
brown  streaked  and  spotted  with  white,  fig. 
45.  Length,  39. 

The  Gannet  breeds  in  the  Gulf  of  St. 
Lawrence  in  May,  migrating  south  from  Sep. 
to  Nov.  Some  few  winter  off  the  coast  of 
New  England  but  more  abundantly  south  of 


TOTIPALMATE    SWIMMERS. 


67 


this,   going   as    far  as   Florida.     It  returns 
north  in  March  and  April. 

It  feeds  quite  near  land  and  may  be  seen 
off  nearly  all  of  the  exposed  ocean  beaches 
diving  and  flying  about.  It  differs  from  all 
gulls  in  the  downward  plunge,  often  from  a 

Fig.  44. 


Gannet.     1-9. 

considerable  height,  and  in  the  silvery  gleam 
of  its  plumage.  Gulls  sometimes  dive,  but 
never  with  such  force  as  does  the  Gannet, 
which  in  its  downward  rush  sends  the  water 


68 


GAXNETS. 


high  in  the  air  as  it  plunges  into  it.  In  mi- 
grating the  Gannet  moves  in  irregular,  strag- 
gling lines  without  system. 

BLUE-FACED  GANNET. 

Differs  from  the  Gannet  in  being  much 
smaller,  28,  and  in  having  the  most  of  the 
wings  and  tail  (except  the  central  feathers 

Fig.  42. 


Tropic  Bird.     1-6. 

and  base  which  are  white)  dark-brown.  The 
naked  portions  of  the  face  are  blue.  Young, 
with  the  head,  neck,  and  upper  parts  dark- 


PELICANS.  69 

brown;  lower  parts,  white.  Breeds  from  the 
Bahamas  southward  in  May;  wandering  to 
Florida. 

38.  RED-FACED  GANNET. 
Similar  to  the  last,  but  with  tail  whol- 
ly white;  naked  space  on  face;  red  or  yellow- 
ish. Young,  brown  throughout;  lighter  be- 
neath. Breeds  on  islands  in  intertropical  seas, 
wandering  to  Florida. 

39.     BOOBY. 

Large,  -30.50;  brown  throughout,  ex- 
cepting on  posterior  portion  beneath  which 
is  white.  Young,  brown  throughout.  Trop- 
ical and  intertropical  coasts  of  America;  com- 
mon off  east  coast  of  Florida;  rare  north  to 
Georgia;  accidental  in  Mass. 

PELICANS. 

Large  water  birds,  white  or  brown,  with 
long,  flattened,  prominently  hooked  bills,  and 
large 'iin:feathered  gular  sacs;  tail,  short.  The 
nests,  placed  in  trees  or  on  the  ground.  Eggs 


70  PELICANS. 

one  or  two,  similar  to  those  of  Gannets.  The 
downy  young  are  grayish. 

Fig.  45. 


Brown  Pelican.     1-20. 

Pelicans  are  rather  awkward  birds  mov- 
ing on  the  ground  with  a  wadding  gate ; 
when  the  the  birds  are  at  rest,  the  bill  is 
held  against  the  breast,  fig.  45.  Flight,  slow 
and  direct,  with  alternate  flapping  and  sail- 
ing, the  birds  often  forming  lines  side  by 
side  or  fly  in  V-shaped  flocks ;  wing  beats, 
slow ;  neck,  doubled  back  in  flight ;  highly 
gregarious  at  all  times.  Incapable  of  pro- 


PELICANS.  71 

ducing  any  sound,  save  a  low  grunt.  Sexes, 
similar. 


40.     WHITE  PELICAN. 

Very  large,  68.  White,  large  portion  of 
wings  black;  bill  and  naked  space  about  face, 
yellow.  There  is  a  central  elevation  on  bill 
in  summer,  fig.  40,  wrhich  is  absent  in  winter. 
Iris,  white  in  summer,  brown  in  winter. 
Feet,  yellow. 

The  White  Pelican  fishes  by  swimming 
and  scooping  the  small  fishes,  upon  which  it 
subsists,  into  its  gular  sac  by  a  side  move- 
ment of  the  head.  The  sac  is  then  contract- 
ed and  the  water  forced  out  on  either  side  of 
the  bill  and  the  fish  swallowred  at  once.  Aft- 
er feeding,  many  will  rise  together  to  a  con- 
siderable height  and  circle  about  for  an  hour 
or  more  on  nearly  motionless  wings,  cross- 
ing and  recrossing  one  another  constantly. 
Rests  on  isolated  sand  bars  by  night  and  oft- 
en resorts  to  them  by  day.  Breeds  in  the  in- 
terior of  North  America  from  Utah  north- 


72 


PELICANS. 


ward  in  May;  common  in  Florida  and  along 
the  Gulf  coast  in  winter ;  rare  on  the  Atlan- 
tic coast  of  Florida,  occasionally  straying  as 
far  north  as  Mass.  Goes  north  in  April, 
-south  in  Sept. 

46.     BROWN  PELICAN. 
Smaller,  50,  grayish  above  and  .black 
below  where  there  are  some  Streaks  of  . 
Fio;   46 


Brown -Pelican.     1-15. 


ish ;  head  and  stripe  on  side  of  neck,  white; 
back  of  neck,  chestnut-brown;  bill,  whitish; 


CORMORANTS.  73 

naked  space  about  face  and  gular  sac,  green- 
ish; feet,  bluish ;  iris,  white.  In  winter  the 
back  of  the  neck  is  white,  fig.  46,  right,  sum- 
mer, left,  winter.  Young,  grayish  above  and 
white  beneath. 

Brown  Pelicans  move  in  a  straight  line 
side  by  side  often  flying  parallel  with  the 
coast  and  very  near  it.  ]n  fishing,  they  usu- 
ally fly  at  a  slight  elevation  over  the  water, 
then  by  dropping  into  it  with  partly  spread 
wings,  secure  their  prey.  Breeds  in  abun- 
dance on  islands  in  southern  Florida,  Car- 
ibbean Sea,  and  West  Indies,  wandering  reg- 
ularly to  N.  C.  and  accidentally  to  111. 

CORMORANTS. 

More  slender  water  birds  of  from  mod- 
erate to  large  size  ;  black  or  brownish  ;  bill, 
shorter  than  head,  it  is  not  flattened,  but  is 
prominently  hooked ;  gular  sac,  small,  fig 
47  ;  wings,  rather  long ;  tail  long  and  round- 
ed. Nests,  placed  on  rocky  cliffs,  trees  and 
bushes,  composed  of  sticks,  seaweeds,  etc; 
eggs,  2-5;  greenish,  covered  with  a  Jky 


74 


CORMORANTS. 


incrustation.  Flight,  rapid,  direct,  often  in 
lines  or  Vs,  but  frequently  breaking  into  ir- 
regular masses;  wing-beats,  continuous  and 

Fig   47 


Double-crested  Cormorant.     1-10. 

rather  rapid ;  neck,  outstretched,  fig.  47;  oft- 
en perch  on  buoys,  beacons,  rooks,  and  trees; 


CORMORANTS.  /  9 

when  sitting  the  head  is  held  well  up  slight- 
ly in  advance  of  the  body,  the  neck  in  the 
form  of  an  S,  sometimes  the  wings  are  wind- 
ly  spread  for  a  considerable  time,  fig.  48. 

Cormorants  walk  quite  well  and  dive 
with  ease,  sometimes  from  the  wing,  but 
more  often  when  swimming,  and  can  remain 
underwater  several  minutes.  In  alighting, 
they  will  usually  pass  the  object  on  which 
they  intend  to  rest,  then  turn  and  go  back 
to  it.  In  starting  from  a  perch,  will  drop 
nearly  to  the  water,  then  rise.  If  suddenly 
alarmed  by  a  shout  or  a  gun  shot  when  fly- 
ing low  over  the  water,  will  often  drop  into 
it,  diving  as  soon  as  they  reach  it.  The  cry, 
seldom  given,  is  a  harsh  croak. 

The  young  are  hatched  naked  with  the 
skin  bluish  or  black  and  shining  as  if  pol- 
ished. Sexes  similar.  There  are  usually 
white,  filamentous  feathers  about  the  head 
during  the  breeding  season,  but  these  can- 
not be  seen  at  any  great  distance. 


76  CORMORANTS. 

47.     CORMORANT. 
Large,  38,  blue  black  throughout,  gray- 
ish above ;  prominent  white  patch  on  flanks 
and  upper  throat;    gular  sac,  orange;    feet 
black.      Young,  brown  above,  very  light  be- 

Fig.   48. 


Double-crested  Cormorant.     1-16. 

neath,  but  there  are  no  white  patches  as  in 
the  adult. 

Atlantic  coast  of  N.  A.,  breeding  from 
the  Gulf  of  St  Lawrence  northward  in  May  ; 
goes  south  in  Nov,  north  in  April  winters 
from  Greenland  to  N.  J. ;  common  north  of 
the  U.  S.,  uncommon  in  N.  E.  and  south  of  it. 


CORMOEANTS.  77 

48.  DOUBLE-CRESTED  CORMORANT. 
Differs  from  last  in  being  smaller,  32 
in  having  no  white  patches  any  where,  and 
with  white  filamentous  feathers  over  the  eye 
in   spring.     Young,  not  as  white  beneath. 
Gula  sac,  orange  ;   bill  and  feet,  black,  figs. 
47-48.     Our  common  species  in  New   Eng. 
land  ;  frequent  in  migration   in  Sept.,  Oct. 
and  April,  off  the  coast  or  crossing  headlands. 
Occasionally  seen  on  fresh  waters.     Winters 
from  N.  E.   south  through  the  Gulf  States. 
Breeds  from  the  Bay  of  Fundy,  the  Great 
Lakes,  Minn.,  and  Da.  northward  in  May. 

49.  FLORIDA  CORMORANT. 

Smaller,  30,  seldom  has  white  feathers 
over  eye.  Resident  in  South  -Atlantic  and 
Gulf  States,  breeding  chiefly  in  April ;  wan- 
dering occasionally  as  far  north  as  111.  Very 
common ;  also  occurs  on  the  Bahamas. 

50.  MEXICAN  CORMORANT. 

Small,  26,  browner  than  the  others, 
more  slaty  on  back,  white  line  adjoining  gu- 


78  ANI1IXGA. 

la  sac,  this  and  naked  space  about  face,  brown- 
ish. Young  grayish  brown,  lighter  beneath, 
sometimes  white  on  throat  and  under  tail 
coverts.  Breeds  in  Texas.  Mexico,  and  Ba- 
hamas, wandering  along  the  Gulf  of  Mexico 
and  up  the  Mississippi  Valley  tonorthern  111, 
Common. 

ANHINGAS. 

Large,  slender  birds  which  occur  on  in- 
land waters  ;  long  necks,  small  heads,  point- 
ed bills,  long,  fan-shaped  tails,  with  central 
feathers  corrugated,  fig.  49.  Flight,  steady 
and  direct,  wing-beats,  rapid,  often  soar  at  a 
considerable  height  in  circles. 

51.     ANHINGA. 

Large,  35  ;  male,  greenish  black,  spotted 
and  streaked  above  with  gray  ;  tail,  tipped 
with  ashy.  In  spring  there  are  long,  ashy, 
filamentous  feathers  on  head  and  neck,  fig. 
49.  Young,  more  or  less  whitish  on  lower 
neck.  Female  differs  in  having  lower  part 
of  neck  and  upper  breast  ashy  yellow.  Young 
brownish  throughout.  Resident  in  tropical 


ANHINGA. 


79 


and  sub-tropical  America,  north  in  summer 
to  the  Carolinas,  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio  and 

Fig    49. 


\ 


Male  Anhinga.     1-8.     Female,  in  flight. 

southern  Kansas.  Breeds  in  Fla.  in  March. 
Nests  of  sticks  placed  in  trees  ;  eggs,  five  or 
six,  much  like  those  of  Cormorants. 


80  FRIGATE    BIRDS. 

Common  on  inland  waters  where  it  sits 
upright  on  trees  which  project  over  the  wa- 
ter. When  suddenly  alarmed,  drops  into  the 
water  and  instantly  disappears.  Has  the  pow- 
er of  sinking  slowly  and  swims  beneath  the 
surface  with  ease  and  swiftness,  thus  captur- 
ing the  fishes  upon  which  it  feeds.  Sometimes 
plunges  obliquely  into  the  water  when  on 
the  wing  and  can  emerge  in  flight.  Often 
swims  with  the  head  and  neck  projecting 
above  the  surface,  or  even  with  the  bill  only 
in  sight.  Cry,  seldom  given,  gutteral  and 
harsh. 

FRIGATE  BIRDS. 

Coast- wise  birds  of  large  size  and  power- 
ful flight ;  bill,  longer  than  head  and  strong- 
ly hooked ;  head,  large  and  somewhat  crest- 
ed ;  gula  sac,  rather  large  ;  neck,  short ;  wings 
and  tail  long,  the  latter  deeply  forked;  feet, 
small  and  weak,  but  although  the  birds  perch 
well  on  trees,  they  are  incapable  of  walking 
and  swimming  well.  Nests  and  eggs,  much 
as  in  the  Cormorants.  Young,  naked  at  first. 


GULLS.  81 

lead-colored,  but  is  soon  covered  with  long, 
white  down. 

Plight,  when  the  birds  are  moving  from 
place  to  place,  steady,  strong,  with  slow  wing 
beats,  but  when  in  pursuit  of  other  birds, 
very  rapid  and  exceedingly  graceful.  Cries, 
harsh,  loud,  and  resilent.  Pood  is  chiefly 
procurred  by  robbing  other  birds  of  fishes. 
Highly  gregarious,  even  breeding  in  commu- 
nities. Sexes,  not  similar.  Tropical  and  sub- 
tropical. 

52.     MANO'  WARBIKD. 

Very  large.  40;  male,  black  throughout, 
back,  lustrous  with  green  and  purple,  fig.  50. 
Female  with  breast  and  sides  whitish.  Young, 
white  beneath.  Tropical  and  sub-tropical 
coast  regions  chiefly  north  of  the  equator. 
Breeds  as  far  north  as  the  Bahamas,  Fla.,  and 
Texas.  Accidental  in  Pa.,  0.,  Kan.,  Tex.,  and 
Nova  Scotia. 

Several  together  may  frequently  be  seen 
floating  high  in  air  over  harbors  or  islands. 


82 


LONG-WINGED    SWIMMEKS. 


LONG-WINGED    SWIMMERS. 

Water  birds  of  variable  sizes;  wings,  long; 
toes,  webbed,  wholly  or  in  part,  fig.  61;  col- 
ors, somewhat  variable,  but  often  bluish  or 
slaty  above  and  white  beneath.   Food,  chief- 
Fig.  50. 


Man  O'  War  Bird.     1-10. 


SKUAS    AND    JAEGERS. 

Fig.  52. 


83 


Parasitic  Jaeger.     1-5. 


84 


LONG-WINGED    SWIMMERS. 


ly  fishes,  but  some  species  are  scavengers 
and  some  subsist  partly  on  insects.  Occur  in 
all  regions  of  the  globe  on  bodies  of  salt  and 
fresh  water.  Sexes,  similar. 

SKUAS  AND  JAEGERS. 
Gull-like  birds,  most  species  of    which 
procure  much  of  their  food  by  robbing  Gulls 
and  Terns.     Color,  dark  above  and  often  be- 

Fig.  53. 


Parasitic  Jaeger,  adult  in  spring.  1-10' 


low;  tail  moderate,  slightly  rounded  with  the 
two  central  feathers  longer  and  projecting 
beyond  the  others,  figs  52-58.  The  flight  is 
swift  and  the  wing  beats  rapid.  Ocean  birds, 
breeding  on  the  coasts  of  the  colder  waters 
of  the  world.  Nests  placed  on  ground;  eggs, 
2-3,  brown  spotted  with  darker. 


SKUAS    AND    JAEGERS.  85 

[Note:.  The  Southern  Skua.  Megalestris  antarcticus, 
which  closely  resembles  our  Northern  Skua,  and  which 
breeds  on  Kurguelen  Island,  is  said  not  to  rob  Gulls  and 
Terns.  Is  has  hawk-like  habits  and  preys  upon  other  birds, 
especially  the  young  Of  species  that  nest  on  the  island. 

These  hawk-like  habits  are  shared  to  some  extent  not 
only  by  our  Skua,  but  also  by  all  of  our  Jaegers,  more  fre- 
quently, however,  when  on  their  breeding  grounds.  All 
members  of  the  group  are  sometimes  scavengers.] 

53.     SKUA. 

A  little  smaller  than  a  Herring  Gull,  24. 
Central  tail  feathers,  project  slightly  and  are 
very  bluntly  point-  Fig.  54. 

ed  terminally,  fig. 
54;  brown  streaked 
with  pale  reddish; 
distinct  white  spot 
at  base  of  primari- 
es. Young,  more  distinctly  streaked.  Breeds 
on  the  coasts  and  islands  of  the  North  Atlan- 
tic; not  common  on  our  side;  casual  as  far 
south  as  S.  C. 

54.     POMARINE  JAEGER. 

Smaller,  size  of  Laughing  Gull,  22.  Pro- 
jecting tail  feathers  longer,  but  not  sharply 


86  LONG-WINGED    SWIMMERS. 

pointed,  flgs.  55-56.  Two  phases  of  plumage: 
Light  phase;  top  of  head  and  above  dusky, 
sides  of  head  and  below  white.  Dark  phase, 

Fig-  55. 


Pomarine  Jaeger  in  autumn.     1-5. 

uniform  dusky  and  all  intergrades  occur  be- 
tween the  two  phases.  Young,  banded  below 
with  buff.  Breeds  far  north.  Migrates  south 
from  Aug  to  Oct;  winters  far  south;  north  in 
May. 

55.     PARASITIC  JAEGER. 
Similar,  smaller,  20,  projecting  tail  feath- 


SKUAS    AND    JAEGEKS. 


87 


ers  pointed,,  figs.  52,  53,  57.  Breeds  far  north. 
South  from  July  to  Sept;  winters  from  N.  J. 
southward;  north  in  May  and  early  June. 


Fig.  56. 


56.     LONG-TAILED  JAEGER. 

Size  of  last;  central  tail  feathers  great- 
ly elongated,  8  to  10  inches,  fig. 
58.    General  colors  paler,  espe- 
cially  above.  Breeds  in  the  far    /    ^J^ 
north;  exact  winter  range  un- 
known.    South  in  Aug.;  north 
in  May.  Very  rare  on  our  coast. 

Pomarlne  Jaeger.  1-2 

GULLS. 

Of  varying  size.  Adults  nearly  or  whol- 
ly white  beneath,  sometimes  rose  tinted;  blu- 
ish or  slaty  on  back 
and  wings — this  area 
is  called  the  mantle. 
The  bill  is  somewhat 

Parasitic  Jaeger.  hooked,    fig.    59;    tail, 

short,  square,  rarely  forked  or  wedge-shaped, 
fig.  60;  feet,  large  and  fitted  for  walking; 
toes,  fully  webbed,  fig.  61.  Nests,  placed  on 


Fig.  52. 


88 


LONG-WINGED    SWIMMERS. 


the  ground,  sometimes  in  trees,  composed  of 
weeds  and  sticks;  eggs,  2-4,  brown  mottled 
Fig.  57.  Fig.^58.  with  darker.  Food,  which 
consists  of  fishes,  other  sea 
animals,  and  floating  gar- 
bage, is  securred  by  the 
birds  swooping  downward 
at  an  angle,  and,  although 
when  catching  living  fish, 
gulls  occasionally  become 
submerged,  I  have  never 


Jaegers  1-2;  Parasitic,  Lon  -tailed. 


OUC 


larly.     Some  eat  dead  fishes  which  are  cast 
on  shore,  and  a  few  feed  upon  insects.  Cries, 

Fig.  59. 


Ring-billed  Gull. 

often  harsh  but  sometimes  modulated  and 
not  unmusical.  Immature  plumage  quite 
unlike  the  adult. 


GULLS. 


89 


57.     IVORY  GULL. 
Medium,  19,  Pure  white;  fig.  62.  Young, 
more  or  less  spotted  with  dusky.  Breeds  very 

Fig.  60. 


American  Herring  Gull.     1-8.     Young  in  flight. 

far  north.  South  regularly  to  Labrador  and 
Newfoundland;  casually  to  N.  B.  and  Mass. 

58,    KITTIWAKE  GULL. 
Medium,  17;  mantle  pale;  whitfe  below, 
on  tail  and  head;  bill  yellow,  feet  black;  five 
outer  quills  have  the  ter- 
minal    portions     black, 
forming  a  patch  the  in- 
Bonaparte  Gull.    1-2.    ner  outline  of  which  goes 
staright  across  the  wing,  fig.  63  and  plate  2. 


Fig.  61. 


90  LONG-WINGED    SWIMMERS. 

In  the  young  this  black  is  more  extended, 
and  a  line  along  bend  of  wing,  a  patch  on 
hind  neck,  and  tip  of  tail  is  black,  plate  2. 

Fig.  62. 


Ivory  Gull.     1-10. 

The  Kittiwake  is  an  ocean  loving  Gull  oc- 
curring far  from  land  in  moderate  weather, 

Fig.    63. 


Kittiwake  Gull,  adult.     1-10. 

but  during  hard  storms  often  approaches  the 
land  and  is  then  sometimes  found  associating 


GULLS.  91 

with  other  gulls  in  bays  and  sounds.  Flight, 
exceedingly  graceful,  easy,  and  tern-like  and 
this  distinguishes  it  from  the  Herring  Gull 
when  seen  at  a  distance.  Common  cry  in  the 
breeding  season;  Kitti-wake  wake  wake  wak- 
er. 

Breeds  from  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence 
northward  in  June,  migrating  southward  in 
Oct.;  winters  from  off  the  coast  of  New  Eng- 
land south  to  the  Middle  States,  casually  al- 
most to  the  Bahamas. 

Nests,  usually  placed  on  rock  shelves  of 
perpendicular  cliffs  overhanging  the  ocean. 
They  are  small  for  the  size  of  the  birds,  and 
are  made  of  sea-weed. 

Coast  Gulls. 

Gulls  of  this  group  are  of  somewhat  va- 
riable size.  Adults  are  white  beneath*  and  if 
not  white  above,  then  the  mantle  is  bluish 
of  some  shade.  If  the  wing  is  not  entirely 
white,  the  dark  tips  of  the  primaries  have 
white  spots  in  them  called  mirrors;  tail,  short 
and  square.  Young  are  at  first  brownish  and 


92 


LONG-WINGED    SWIMMERS. 


assume  the  adult  dress  slowly.  Very  social, 
associating  in  large  flocks,  especially  at  night, 
in  winter  when  many  hundreds  gather  to 
sleep  on  the  water. 

59.     GREAT  BLACK-BACKED  GULL. 

Our  largest  common  Gull,  30;  mantle, 
dark  slate,  but  it  appears  perfectly  black  in 

Fig.  64. 


Great  Black-backed  Gull. 


the  distance;  white  elsewhere  and  there  is  a 
white  wing  band;  bill  yellow  and  feet  pink- 
ish, fig.  64.  Young  for  the  first  year,  rather 


93 


pale  brownish,  darkest  above.  Adults  are 
are  easily  distinguished;  the  young  are  pale- 
er  than  those  of  the  Herring  Gull,  larger, 
have  slower  wing  beats,  and  a  more  majes- 
tic flight.  Breeds  from  the  Bay  of  Funday 
northward;  south  in  Sept.;  winters  from 
southern  Greenland  to  Long  Island;  north  in 
April,  a  few  often  remain  as  far  south  as 
Cape  Ann,  Mass.,  all  summer. 

60.     SIBERIAN  GULL. 
Smaller  than  the  Black-back,  20;  mantle 
a  little  paler;  feet  yellow.  Northern  Asia;  ac- 
cidental in  southern  Greenland. 

61.  GLAUCOUS  GULL. 
About  the  size  of  the  Black-back,  and 
the  flight  is  similar,  but  the  mantle  is  pale 
pearl-gray  and  the  wings  nearly  or  quite 
white.  Young,  pale  grayish,  mottled  above 
with  light  brown.  Bill  yellow,  feet  pink. 
Breeds  in  the  Arctic  Regions;  south  in  win- 
ter regularly  to  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence; 
rarely  to  Great  Lakes  and  along  coast  to  L.  I. 


94 


LONG-WINGED    SWIMMERS. 


62.     HERRING  GULL. 
Smaller  than  the  Black-back,  24,  man- 
tle, pearl  gray;  white  mirror  at  tip  of  outer 
primary  is  not  interrupted  by  a  black  cross 
bar,  fig.  65;  bill,  yellow;  feet,  pinkish.   Young 

Fig.  65.  Fig.  66. 


European,  American, 

Herring  Gulls. 

the  first  year,  nearly  uniform  dark  brown; 
tail,  almost  black  on  terminal  third.  Second 
year,  pale  buff  above,  much  banded  and  mot- 


GULLS.  95 

tied  with  darker,  a  broad,  very  dark  subter- 
minal  tail  band;  beneath,  quite  uniform  yel- 
lowish brown;  no  white  on  primary  tips. 
Third  year,  although  showing  some  of  the 
colors  of  the  adult,  is  more  or  less  mottled 
throughout  with  dusky.  Bill,  brown  in  all 
immature  birds.  The  Old  World  form,  but 
also  occurs  not  infrequently  on  our  side  of 
the  ocean. 

63.     AMERICAN  HERRING  GULL. 

Differs  from  the  last  in  having  the 
white  on  tip  of  first  primary  divided  by  a 
black  bar,  fig.  66.  Breeds  on  both  salt  and 
fresh  water  from  southern  Me.  northward; 
constantly  resident  on  the  coast  south  to 
Cape  2  Ann,  Mass.;  winters  in  great  abund- 
ance from  Me.  to  the  Carolinas  and  is  rather 
common  to  the  St.  Johns  River,  Fla.;  occa- 
ally  occurs  on  the  coast  of  Cuba. 

[Note :-  Although  I  am,  of  course,  aware  that  many  or- 
nithologists no  longer  separate  the  Herring  Gulls  on  eith- 
er side  of  the  Atlantic,  I  still  continue  to  do  so  for  reasons 
which  cannot  well  be  here  stated.] 


96  LONG-WINGED    SWIMMERS. 

64.  KUMLIEN  GULL. 

A  little  smaller  than  the  Herring  Gull; 
much  paler;  back,  slightly  bluish;  primaries, 
grayish,  but  with  the  mirrors  distinct;  the 
wings,  however,  usually  appear  quite  white 
in  flight;  bill,  yellow,  feet,  pinkish.  Young, 
creamy,  mottled  with  pale  brown.  Breeds 
about  Cumberland  Gulf;  south  in  winter  reg- 
ularly to  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence  and  Mass. 
but  is  rather  uncommon  with  us. 

65.  ICELAND  GULL. 
Similar  to  the  above,  but  pure    white; 

young,  pale  brown  mottled  with  a  little  dark- 
er shade.  Breeds  on  the  northern  coasts  of 
the  north  Atlantic;  south  in  winter  rather 
rarely  as  far  as  Mass. 

Both  the  Kumlien  and  Iceland  Gulls 
fly  with  a  little  quicker  movement  of  the 
wings  than  the  Herring  Gull  with  which 
they  often  associate.  The  Iceland  Gull  al- 
ways appears  paler  than  the  Kumlien  even 
when  seen  at  a  distance. 


GULLS  97 

66.     RING-BILLED  GULL. 
Smaller  than  the  Herring  Gull;  similar 
in  color,  but  with  the  mantel  a  little  darker 

Fig,  63*. 


Kittiwake  Gull.     Young.     1-5. 

bill,  green  crossed  by  a  black  band,  fig  59. 
Young  much  lighter  than  in  the  Herring 
Gull,  even  in  the  first  year  the  head,  neck, 
and  lower  parts  appearing  nearly  white;  the 
mantle  is  pearly  as  in  the  adult,  but  mottled 


98  LONG-WINGED    SWIMMERS. 

in  irrigular  patches  with  brownish;  there  is 
a  conspicuous,  sharply  defined  band  of  black 
on  end  of  tail;  bill,  black  yellowish  at  tip,  fig. 
67.  In  this  first  plumage  much  like  the  Her- 
ring Gull  of  the  third  year,  but  aside  from 
the  much  smaller  size  of  the  Ring-bill,  its 
black  tail  band  is  narrower  and  more  sharp- 
ly defined.  As  in  Black-backs,  there  is  no  in- 
termediate dress  between  first  year  and  adult. 

Fig.  67. 


Young  Ring-billed  Gull.     1-5. 


GULLS  99 

Breeds  in  northern  N.  A.;  south  in  au- 
tumn over  the  whole  country  in  Aug.  and 
Sept.;  winters  from  the  Carolinas  to  Cuba 
and  Mexico.  Not  uncommon  in  Mass,  in 
migration,  but  more  common  elsewhere  in 
its  range. 

67.     MEW  GULL. 

Similar  in  size  and  general  coloration  to 
the  Ring-bill,  but  the  bill  is  a  little  stouter. 
Europe  and  Asia,    accidental    in    Labrador, 
one  record. 

Hooded  Gulls. 

Size  medium  or  small;  heads  in  summer 
adults  black,  grayish  in  winter;  white  be- 
neath tinged  with  rosy  in  summer;  white 
markings  on  primaries  variable  or  absent, 
but  never  like  those  of  the  Coast  Gulls. 

68.     LAUGHING  GULL: 
Size,  medium,  16;  mantle,  dark  bluish 
gray  darker  than  in  any  species  given  ex- 
cepting in  the  Black-back;  primaries,  black. 


100 


LONG-WINGED    SWIMMERS. 


slightly  tipped  with  white;  prominent  white 
wing  bands;  bill,  crimson-lake;  iris  and  feet, 
brown;  fig.  68.  In  winter,  head  white  tinged 

Fig.  68. 


Adult  Laughing  Gull  in  summer.   1-8. 
Fig.  69. 


Adult  Laughing  Gull  in  winter.    1-4. 


UULLb,       ;  LJ0J 

with  color  like  that  of  back,  fig.  69.  Young, 
brownish  throughout  in  fall,  tip  of  tail  black; 
first  winter,  whitish  beneath,  bluish  gray  on 
back,  fig.  70.  Breeding  cries  like  peels  of  de- 
Fig.  70. 


Young;  Laughing  Gull  in  winter.     14-. 

risive  laughter;  adult  also  gives  a  short  call 
note  that  is  answered  by  the  fully  grown 
young  with  a  snarling  cry.  Breeds  from  the 
southern  coast  of  Me.  southward  through  the 
Bahamas;  south  in  Sept.,  remaining  on  coast 
of  Carolinas  until  Dec.;  winters  f rom  M< 


302 


SWIMMERS. 


to  S.  A.;  comes  north  in  April.  Not  common 
north  of  Cape  Cod. 

69.  FRANKLIN  GULL. 
A  little  smaller  than  last,  14;  differs  in 
being  darker  above;  primaries,  bluish-gray 
and  in  all  stages  broadly  tipped  with  white. 
Breeds  from  0.  north  through  Minn,  and  the 
interior  of  Canada.  Often  occurs  far  from 
water  subsisting  upon  insects,  and  is  known 
as  the  Prairie  Dove. 

70.     BONAPARTE  GULL. 

Smallest  of  our  Gulls,  13;  mantle  pale  bluish, 

Fig.  71. 


Bonaparte  Gull;  upper  tig.  summer  adult;  lower,  young. 

tail  and  lower  parts,  white;  primaries,  white 


GULLS 


103 


narrowly    margined    with    black  outwardly 
and  more  broadly  at  tip;  tail  and  beneath. 

Fig.  72. 


Bonaparte  Gull,  first  year.  1-5. 

white;  bill,  black,  feet,  yellow,  fig  71  upper; 
in  winter  white  with  dusky  spot  back  of  eye; 
young  differs  in  having  wing  black  margined 
all  around  excepting  near  bend,  fig  72,  thus 
differing  from  the  young  Kittiwake  which 
has  wing  black  margined  all  around  fig.  G3*, 


104  LONG-WIXGKI)    SWIMMERS. 

in  front,  but  is  white  behind. 

Breeds  in  the  Arctic  and  migrates  over 
the  whole  U.  S.;  south  from  Aug.  to  middle 
Nov.;  winters  from  Carolinas  to  Gulf  of  Mex- 
ico; north  March  to  May.  Flight,  swift,  easy, 
graceful,  and  tern-like.  When  migrating  oft- 
en flies  along  shore,  usually  in  small  compa- 
nies. In  winter  occurs  more  scatteringly  fly- 
ing over  sounds  or  creeks  or  often  far  up  riv- 
ers. Cry,  seldom  heard  in  migration,  is  harsh 
and  rasping.  Common. 

71.     LITTLE  GULL. 
Smaller  than  the  last,  11;  little  or  no 
black  on  wings;  in  the  young  the  tail  is  with- 
out the  black  tip.     Old  World;  accidental  in 
in  Bermuda  and  Long  Island. 

72.     ROSS  GULL. 

Tail  graduated,  fig.  73;  small,  14;  white 
tinged  with  pink;  pearl-gray  above  and  on 
wings  below;  outer  web  of  first  prinia^  and 
collar  around  neck,  black.  In  winter  black 
collar  absent,  head  tinged  with  grayish,  black 
spot  in  front  of  eye,  Young  clouded  with 


TERNS. 


105 


dusky  above,  some  of  inner  tail 
/    /(  feathers     tipped    with    black. 
j   Breeds  in  the  Arctic,  south  in 


i* 

winter  as  far  as  Disco  Bay  in 


Greenland. 


Ross  Gull. 


73.  SABINE  GULL. 

Small,  13.50;  tail  prominently  forked, 
white,  head  and  upper  neck  dark  plumbeous, 


i&.  74. 


Sabine  Gull:  summer  adult.  1-4. 

below  this  a  black  collar;  mantle,  dark  blue- 


106 


LONG-WIXGED    SWIMMERS. 


gray;  primaries,  black  five  inner  tipped  with 
white;  bill,  black  yellow  tipped;  feet,  black, 
figs.  74,  75.  In  winter,  head  white,  spot  on 
side  and  patch  on  occiput  plumbeous.  Young, 


Sabine  Gull:  summer  adult. 

brown-gray  above;  tail,  white  with  a  subter- 
minal  band  of  black.  Arctic;  south  in  winter 
very  rarely  as  far  as  Mass.,  N.  Y.  and  Great 
Lakes. 

TERNS. 

Variable  in  size  but  generally  more  slen- 
der and  graceful  than  gulls;  bills,  pointed 
never  hooked;  wings,  long  and  pointed;  feet, 


TERNS.  107 

small  and  rather  unfitted  for  walking  in  ad- 
ults, yet  the  birds  swim  well  in  quiet  water. 
Ocean  coasts  and  estuaries  and  fresh  waters. 
Nests  placed  on  sand,  rocks,  or  -bushes;  eggs 
1-5,  similar  to  those  of  gulls.  Procure  their 
prey,  which  usually  consists  of  small  fishes, 
by  diving  perpendicularly  downward,  often 
becoming  wholly  submerged  in  water.  The 
flight  is  swift  with  graceful,  swallow-like 
movements;  when  the  birds  are  searching  the 
water  beneath  their  bills  are  pointed  down- 
ward^ After  alighting,  and  at  other  times 
when  on  land,  the  wings  are  often  stretched 
upward.  When  a  number  are  flying  together, 
frequently  in  response  to  a  signal  cry  of  a 
leader,  all  will  dart  obliquely  downward  and 
fly  rapidly  along  the  water.  Downy  young, 
buffy  spotted  above  with  dusky,  plate,  I. 

74.     GULL-BILLED  TERN. 
Large,  14;  bill,  thick  and  gull-like,  fig. 
76;    tail,  slightly   forked;  white,  head    and 
nape,  black.   In  winter,  head  white  mottled 


108 


LONG-WINGED    SWIMMERS. 


with  dusky  on  nape  and  ear-coverts.  Young, 

Fig.  76. 


Gull-billed  Tern. 

similar,  but  buft'y  above.  Bill  and  feet,  al- 
ways black,  fig.  77.  Nearly  cosmopolitan;  in 

Fig.  77. 


Gull- billed  Tern.     1-7. 

N.  A.  breeds  from  southern  N.  J.  southward 
to  the  Gulf  Coast,  rarely  wandering  in  late 
summer  and  early  fall  to  Mass.  Flight,  heavy 
and  slow;  Cries,  harsh  and  rasping. 

75.  CASPIAN  TEEN. 
Largest  of  our  Terns,  21;  form,  robust; 
bill,  long,  thick,  heavy,  dull  red;  tail,  slight- 


TERNS.  109 

ly  forked,  feathers  not  narrowed  terminally, 
fig.  78.  White,  black-capped,  mantle  pale.  In 

Fig.  78. 


Caspian  Tern.     1-2. 

winter  back  of  head,  streaked  with  white. 
Feet,  black.  Young,  grayish  flecked  above 
with  dusky;  each  tail  feather  has  a  subter- 
minal  dusky  spot.  Flight,  although  heavy, 
is  swift  and  tern-like.  Cries  very  harsh  and 
rasping  suggesting  a  rapid  honking  of  the 
Canada  Goose.  Nearly  cosmopolitan,  breed- 
ing south  in  N.  A.  to  Va.,  Tex.,  Nev.  and 
Mich.  Not  very  common  on  the  coast  of  N. 
E. 


110  LONG-WIXGED    SWIMMERS. 

76.     ROYAL  TERN. 
Similar  to  last;  tail  more  deeply  forked, 
its  outer  feathers   narrowed,  fig.  79;  flight, 
rather  heavy  and  jerky.  Cry,  a  harsh,  rasp- 

FKr.    79. 


Caspian  Tern.     1-2. 

ing  croak.  Breeds  from  coast  of  Va.  south- 
ward in  June;  rare  as  far  north  as  Mass,  and 
the  Great  Lakes;  winters  from  the  Carolinas 
southward;  Abundant. 

77.  CABOT  TERN. 
Similar  in  color  to  last,  but  smaller,  14, 
and  more  slender;  bill,  black  yellow  at  tip; 
feet,  black,  fig.  80.  Cry,  single,  harsh,  often 
repeated.  Breeds  on  Gulf  Coast  and  Bahamas, 
accidental  at  Chatham,  Mass.,  one  record; 
winters  from  the  Fla.  Keys  southward. 


TERNS.  Ill 

Pale=backed  Terns. 

Smaller  Terns;  tails  deeply  forked;  out- 
er feathers  narrowed  terminally,  fig.  81.  All 
of  our  species,  excepting  79,  have  black  caps 
and  pale  blue-gray  mantles.  Flight,  graceful 
and  rapid. 

78.  TRADEAU  TERN. 
Size  of  Common  Tern,  but  differs  from 
this  and  all  others  of  the  group  in  having 
head  white  with  dusky  spot  on  either  side 
extending  from  bill  to  ear  coverts  enclosing 
eye;  remaining  plumage,  pearl-gray;  bill; 
black,  yellow  at  base  and  tip;  in  winter  en- 
tire under  parts  white.  Southern  S.  A.,  acci- 
dental in  N.  J.  and  Long  Island  (Audubon). 

79.  COMMON  TERN. 
Size,  14;  mantle,  rather  dark;  tips  of  out- 
er tail  feathers  not  extending  beyond  points 
of  folded  wings  and  their  outer  webs  are  dus- 
ky, fig.  81;  chiefly  white  below;  bill,  red 
black  at  tip,  fig.  80;  in  winter,  cap  white 
black  on  occiput  only.  Young  with  forearm 


112 


LONG-WINDED    SWIMMERS. 


W 

K 


0 
O 

s 

O. 


-;^to| 

,'/ Y   I     \  '/•'  | 

-'-•'!,.        !       I 'VJ^l 


TERNS. 


113 


dusky;  cap,  white  anteriorly,  dusky  behind 
wholly   across   occiput,    extending    forward 

Fig.  80 


Cabot  Tern.     1-7. 

narrowly  around  eye;  mantle,  a  little  darker 
than  in  adult  sometimes  banded  with  dusky; 
bill,  nearly  black;  wings,  much  as  in  adult - 
tail,  shorter,  ashy  with  outer  webs  dusky ; 

Fig.  81 


Common  Tern.     1-10. 

feet,  red.  Cry,  "  te-arr"  last  syllable  pro- 
longed; alarm,  " ~ki"  repeated  rapidly  many 
times.  Greater  portion  of  Northern  Hemis- 


114  LONG-WINGED  .SWIMMERS. 

phere ;  in  N.  A.  breeds  on  coast  and  it  suit- 
able places  in  interior  east  of  plains  from 
Fla.,  Tex.  and  Ariz.,  north  to  the  Arctic  in 
May;  south  in  Sept.,  but  a  few  linger  on 

Fig.  82 


Young  Common  Tern. 

coast  until  middle  Oct.;  winters  south  of  the 
U.  S.    Abundant. 

80.  FOSTER  TERN. 
Differs  from  last  in  having  bill  black, 
outer  webs  of  tail  feathers  white,  fig.  82;  in 
winter  entire  top  of  head  and  occiput  white, 
but  there  is  a  wide  black  space  about  eye, 
fig.  88.  Young  similar  to  winter.  Bill  and 
feet,  always  black.  Breeds  chiefly,  in  the  in- 


TEKNS. 


115 


terior  from  Va.,  111.,  Tex.  and  Cal.,  north  to 
Manatoba,  in  May.  South  in  Sept.;  winters 
from  N.  C.  to  Brazil;  north  in  April;  rare 

Fig.  83 


Forster  Tern. 


on  the  coast  of  Mass.     Cries,  similar  to  those 
of  Common  Tern  but  harsher. 

81.     ARCTIC  TERN. 

Differs  from  Common  Tern  in  having 
bill  wholly  red,  fig.  85,  under  parts  pearl- 

Fiff.  84 


Forster  Tern. 


gray,  and  feet  coral-red.     Young  have  bill 
black,  feet  yellow  but  the  rump  in  all  ages 


116  LONG-WINGED  SWIMMERS. 

Fig.  85 


TERNS.  117 

is  always  abruptly  white  ;  cries  quite 
similar  to  those  of  common  Tern  but  more 
interrupted.  Northern  Hemisphere,  now 
breeding  from  Me.  (formerly  from  southern 
Mass.)  north  to  Arctic.  Time  of  migration 
similar  to  that  of  Common  Tern  with  which 
is  then  associates  at  least  as  far  south  as 
coast  of  Mass. ;  winters  in  the  Antarctic. 

82.     ROSEATE  TERN. 

More  slender ;  tail  longer  than  any  of 
the  preceeding,  and  this  has  the  outer 
feather  very  narrow  terminally  and  is  wholly 
white;  bill,  black;  feet,  yellow;  in  summer 
tinged  with  rosy  beneath,  fig.  86.  Young 
have  back  banded  and  mottled  with  dusky 
and  bill  and  feet  black,  fig.  87.  Cry  O-ar-ar- 
ar,  harsh  and  rooling,  difficult  to  imitate. 
Temperate  and  Tropical  regions ;  breeds, 
from  south  shore  of  Mass,  southward  in 
May ;  winters  south  of  U.  S.,  south  in  Aug.; 
north  in  May ;  often  wanders  in  fall  north 
of  Cape  Ann.  Common. 


118 


LONG-WINGED    SWIMMERS. 


Fig.  86 — Roseate  Tern. 


TERNS.  119 

83.     LEAST  TERN. 

Our  smallest  Tern,  9;  entire  upper  parts 
including  tail,  pale  pearl-gray;  top  of  head 
(excepting  lunette  on  forehead),  and  two 

Fig.  87 


Roseate  Tern  Young.     1-10. 

outer  primaries  black;  white  beneath;  bill, 
yellow  black  at  extreme  tip,  fig. -88-89;  feet, 
yellow;  in  winter,  white  of  lunette , more  ex- 
tended. Young  with  a  patch  of  dusky  on 
wing  and  V-shaped  marks  of  dusky  on  back; 
tail  not  as  deeply  forked.  Beeds  from  south 
shore  of  Mass,  (formerly  Ipswich),  south- 
ward from  late  May  (Bahamas)  to  early 
July  (Mass.)  South  in  Sept.,  north  in  *JLzy 


120 


LONG-WINGED    SWIMMERS. 


and  June;  winters  south  of  U.  S.  Cries, 
Tee-deel-deedle ;  alarm  a  decidedly  given 
Hoyt  repeated  irregularly,  flight  rather 
jerky. 


Fig.  88 


Least  Tern. 

Dusky=backed  Terns. 

Size,  rather  large;  mantle  and  head 
dusky  or  black ;  bill,  slender  and  with  feet 
wholly  black;  tail  deeply  forked.  Flight, 
swift  with  long,  sweeping  wing-beats,  single 
egg  lighter  than  in  the  preceding  groups. 


TERNS. 


121 


84.     BRIDLED  TERN. 

Length    14;    pale    slate    above; 
collar  on  back  of  neck;  crown,  black, 
of  white  of   forehead  the    horns    of 
extend  over  and  just  back  of  eye, 
beneath,   pure    white.     Young  have 
of  forehead  more  extended  and  the 
graj7ish  more  or  less   streaked  with 


white 
lunette 

which 
fig.  90: 

white 
back  is 

white. 


Least  Tern.     1-6. 

Cries,  shrill,  ordinary  note  "icilUck"  often 
^repeated:  alarm  a  croak:  signal  for  flock  to 
dart  downward  when  flying  is  a  shrill,  snar- 
ling cry,  see  page  107.  Tropical  sea  coasts 
in  general;  breeds  commonly  on  Bahamas 
in  May,  placing  egg  in  cavities  beneath 


122 


LONG-WINGED  SWIMMERS, 


rocks,  comes  north  in  April,  goes  south  in 
in  fall.     Accidental  in  Fla. 

85.     SOOTY  TERN. 

Larger  than  last:  16;  not  as  slender; 
black  above;  horns  of  lunette  not  extending 
back  of  eye,  fig.  91.  Young,  sooty  brown 
throughout  paler  below;  wing  coverts  and 

Fig.  90 


Bridled  Tern.     1-6. 

scapularies  narrowly  but  distinctly  tipped 
with  white.  Ordinary  note,  Quank  repeated 
irregularly;  alarm,  Qu-ank  rapidly  repeated, 
signal  cry  for  darting  downward  like  that  of 
last  species. 

Flight  heavier  and  less   graceful  than 
that  of  Bridled  Tern.     Range  similar,  but 


TERNS. 


123 


breeds  commonly  on  Tortugus.  Fla.,  and 
occurs  regularly  but  rarely  along  the  coast 
of  S.  C.,  casually  to  N.  E. 

Short=tai!ed  Terns. 

Small,  dark  above  and  sometimes  be- 
low ;  tail,  shorter  than  tips  of  folded  wings 
and  but  slightly  forked.  Eggs,  3-4  averaging 
darker  than  others  of  the  family. 

Fig.  91 


Sooty  Tern,     1-6. 

86.     BLACK  TERN. 

Length,  9;  black  throughout  with  under 
portions  of  wings  and  under  tail  coverts, 
white,  fig.  92.  Winter,  head,  excepting 


124  LONG-WINGED    SWIMMERS. 

occiput,  neck  all  around  and  below  white. 
Young,  brown  plumbeous  above,  white  on 
forehead  and  below  with  sides  plumbeous. 
Flight  very  light  and  graceful  as  it  hovers 
closely  over  water.  Breeds  in  interior  from 
middle  U.  S.,  west  of  Alleghanies,  northward 

Fig.  92 


Black  Tern.     1-4. 

in  May.  South  in  May  and  Sept.  when  not 
uncommon  on  coast  of  N.  E.  and  near  it  ; 
rare  here  in  June.  Winters  in  S.  A.;  north 
in 


87.    WHITE-WINGED  BLACK  TERN. 

Differs  from  above  in  having  tail  and 
upper  coverts  white  and  wings  whitish  in 


TERNS. 


125 


all  stages.     Europe,  a  single  one   taken  in 
Wis.  a  number  of  years  ago. 

88.     NODDY. 

Large,  15;  tail,  much  rounded;  sooty 
brown  throughout,  white  on  top  of  head, 
fig.  93;  bill  and  feet,  black.  Flight  rather 
erratic,  with  long,  sweeping  wing-beats, 

Fig.  93 

\i 

V 


Noddy. 


keeping  low  over  water  when  it  somewhat 
resembles  a  petrel;  when  sitting,  unlike 
other  terns  which  usually  keep  head  on  a 
level  with  body,  holds  head  high  like  a  dove. 
Gries,  a  series  of  croaks.  A  gentle  bird  which 


126 


LONG-WINGED    SWIMMERS. 


may  be  taken  from  its  nest  without  making 
an  effort  to  defend  itself.  Intertropical 
seas;  breeds  on  the  Tortugus  and  Bahamas 
in  May;  rare  on  coasts  of  South  Atlantic 
and  Gulf  States. 

Fig.  94 


Black  Skimmer.     1-5 

SKIMMERS. 

Birds  with  a  Tern  -  like  appearance 
having  long  wings  and  a  short  slightly 
forked  tail;  bill  singular,  thin  and  knife- 
like  with  under  mandible  over-lapping 
upper,  fig.  94. 


TERNS.  127 

89.     BLACK  SKIMMER. 
Large,  18;  white  beneath,  on  tail  and 
forehead,  black  elsewhere  above ;  bill,  black 
with    base    and    feet    vermillion.      Young 
whitish  on  head  and  tail  tipped  with  brown- 
Fig.  95 


Red  Phalarope. 

ish.  Rests  in  large  flocks  on  isolated  sandbars 
by  day  and  when  started  moves  with  an 
excentric  flight  with  long  sweeping  wing- 
beats;  at  nightfall  separates  into  small  com- 

Fig.  96 


Red  Phalarope 

panies,and  forming  lines,  sweeps  up  estuaries 
and  rivers  against  tides  or  current,  keeping 
close  to  water  with  the  elongated  ^ower 


128 


LONG-WINGED  SWIMMERS. 


mandible  below  surface,  thus  secure  what 
food  floats  on  surface.  Cries  harsh  and 
abrupt,  much  like  the  bark  of  a  young 
puppy  or  fox.  Eggs  placed  on  sand  near 
sea;  2-3,  white  handsomely  mottled  with 
dark-brown  and  lilac.  Coasts  of  warmer 
portions  of  America  breeding  on  Atlantic 

Fig.  97 


Auult  9 


Phaiarope.     1-4. 


side  from  N.  J.  southward  in  May.     Winters 
from  Fla.  Keys  northward. 

SHORE     BIRDS. 

Long-legged  and  usually  long-winged 
with  elongated  tertiaries;  bill  variable  but 
quite  long  and  slender;  size,  also  variable 
but  never  very  large.  Eggs,  usually  4, 
pyraform,  almost  always  placed  on  ground. 


TERNS.  129 

Young,  covered  with  down  and  active  when 
hatched.  Inhabit  nearly  all  regions  of  the 
globe. 

PHALAROPES. 

Sandpiper-like  with    duck-like    habits; 
breed  far  inland,  but  pass  a  greater  portion 

Fig.  98. 


Wilson  Phalarope. 

of  lives  on  open  ocean  upon  which  their 
thick  plumage  enables  them  to  float  readily, 
while  their  lobed  toes  enable  them  to  swim 
with  ease.  Sexes,  disimilar  the  females, 
being  brighter  than  males;  gregarious. 


130  S1IOKE    B1KDS. 

90.     RED  PHALAROPE. 

Median  size,  8,  bill  short  and  thick, 
fig.  95;  toes,  well  lobed.  Summer  female, 
purplish  cinnamon  beneath  and  on  neck 
behind,  sides  of  head  and  rump,  white;  top 
of  head,  dark  plumbeous;  back,  light  reddish 
streaked  with  black,  fig.  97.  Summer  male 

Fig.  99 


Adult  ?  Wilson  Phalarope.     1-4. 

smaller  and  duller.  Winter  adult,  head, 
neck  and  lower  parts,  white;  back,  pearl- 
gray.  Young,  black  above  and  white  be- 
neath, tinged  with  buff.  Occurs  in  Northern 
Hemisphere,  breeding  far  north ;  south  in 
winter  in  N.  A.  as  far  as  off  coast  of  N.  E. 
in  Sept.,  Oct.,  and  May;  rare  in  the  interior. 


PHALAROPES.  131 

91.     WILSON  PHALAROPE. 

Smaller  than  last,  bill  long,  slender  and 
awl-like,  fig.  98;  has  toes  less  lobed,  fig.  98. 
Summer  female,  white  beneath,  gray-white 
above,  becoming  white  on  upper  tail  coverts 
and  a  portion  of  tail;  line  of  black  on  side  of 
head  becoming  chestnut  on  sides  of  neck 

Fig.  100 


Northern  Phalatope. 

and  broadening  on  back,  fig.  99.  Summer 
male,  duller.  Winter  adult  ash-gray  above, 
white  on  upper  tail-coverts  and  beneath. 
Young,  similar  but  blackish  above.  Tem- 
perate N.  A.  breeds,  from  Southern  111.  and 
and  Utah  north  to  Saskatchawan  region. 


132  SHORE    BIRDS. 

Winters  off  coasts  of  Brazil  and  Patagonia. 
Rare  on  coast  of  N.  E.  in  May  and  Aug. 

92.     NORTHERN  PHALAROPE. 

Smaller,  7.50;  bill  smaller, foot  more  lobed,, 
fig.  100.  Summer  female,  black  above,  white 
on  rump;  distinct  way  band  and  under  parts 
white.  Sides  of  neck  and  chest  rufous, 

Fig.  101 


Northern  Phalarope.     1-4. 

fig.  101.  Summer  male,  duller.  Winter  adult 
grayish  above  with  blackish  patch  on  sides 
of  head,  forehead,  line  over  eye  and  beneath, 
white,  young,  similar,  but  streaked  with 
buff  above.  Northern  Hemisphere,  breeds 
far  north;  winters,  from  coast  of  N.  C. 
southward.  Common  off  coast  of  N.  E.  from 


FHALAROPES. 


133 


middle  Aug.  to  Oct.;  occasionally  seen  on 
beaches  and  rarely  on  waters  of  interior; 
conies  north  in  May. 

AVOCETS  AND  STILTS. 

The  longest  legged  of  any  of  the  Shore 
Birds ;  social  and  occur  near  fresh  water  ; 
size  rather  large. 

Fig.  102 


American  Avocet    1-4 


93.     AMERICAN  AVOCET. 

Length,  17;  bill  longer  than  head  and 
decidedly  recurved;  folded  wings  not  quite 


134  SHORE    BIRDS. 

reaching  end  of  tail;  head,  neck  and  chest 
light  cinnamon,  wings  and  two  broad  stripes 
on  back,  black;  tail,  ashy;  elsewhere  white, 
fig.  102 ;  in  winter  cinnamon  is  replaced  by 
white*  Swims  well  and  frequently  alights 

Fig.  103 


Black-necked  Stilt.     1-4. 

on  water.  Cries,  harsh  and  continuous. 
Breeds  in  the  interior  west  of  Mississippi 
River  from  Kansas  north  to  Saskatchawan 
and  Great  Slave  Lake;  winters  south  to 
Guatemala;  exceedingly  rare  in  eastern  U.  S. 


135 


94.     BLACK-NECKED  STILT. 


Size.  14;  bill  longer  than  head  and 
nearly  straight;  top  of  head  to  middle  of 
back  and  wings,  black;  tail  gray;  spot  be- 
hind eye  and  plumage  not  mentioned,  white; 
bill,  black;  iris,  red;  feet,  crimson;  fig.  103. 
Female  with  back  brownish.  Young  differ 
from  last  in  having  back  banded  with  dull 

Fig.  104 


American  Woodcock. 

white  and  top  of  head  finely  mottled  with 
it.  Breeding  note  a  loud  put  repeated  many 
times  at  regular  intervals  as  the  bird  either 
sits  or  flies;  alarm,  a  series  of  harsh  screams. 
Flight,  steady,  not  swift,  wing-beats  rather 
slow  and  low  sweeping.  When  on  the  wing, 
the  head  is  held  partly  back,  but  the  legs 
are  fully  extended  or  in  short  flights  are 
held  dangling.  Although  it  often  wades  in 


136  LONG-WINGED  SWIMMERS. 

water  so  deeply  that  it  nearly  floats,  it 
seldom  swims.  A  number  will  sometimes 
sit  together  in  the  water  moving  the  pri- 
maries up  an  down  with  a  fan-like  move- 
ment while  the  secondaries  are  kept  motion- 
less. Breeds  from  northern  U.  S.  west  of  the 
Mississippi  southward  to  Fla.,  the  Bahamas, 
and  Antilles  in  late  April  and  early  May. 

Fig.  105 


American  Woodcock.    1-6. 

Common  but  rare  in  Eastern  U.  S.  north  of 
Fla.  Arrives  in  Fla.  in  March,  goes  south 
in  early  Oct. 

WOODCOCK    AND    SNIPE. 

Birds  of  fresh  water  swamps  and  marshes. 
Bill  much  longer  than  head;  wings  and  legs, 


WOODCOCK. 


137 


short;  tail,  short  and  rounded,  All  of  the 
species  are  well-known  game  birds.  Sexes 
similar. 

95.     AMERICAN  WOODCOCK. 
A  short-necked  stout-bodied  species  11 
long  which  lives  in  wooded  or  bushy  swamps. 

Fig.  106 


Wilson  SniDe.. 


Wings    very   short  folding,  at  base  of  tail, 
with   the  outer   primaries  much  narrowed, 

Fig.  107 

i\ 


Wilson  Snipe '. 

fig.  104;  brown  above  with  the  buffy  bars 
crossing    top    of    head,    elsewhere    faintly 


138  SHOKE    BIRDS. 

banded  with  reddish  buff  and  mottled  with 
ashy  brown;  beneath,  reddish-buff;  bill  and 
feet,  brown,  fig.  105.  Downy-young,  rust- 
buff  throughout  mottled  and  spotted  above 
with  brown.  Often  occurs  in  alder  swamps. 
Flight  direct  and  swift,  wing  beats  rapid 

Fig.  108 


Dowitcher.     1-6. 

often  accompanied  by  a  whistling  sound. 
From  early  March  to  July  gives  the  evening 
flight  song  on  or  near  feeding  ground. 
After  giving  a  series  of  bleating  cries  on 
ground  the  male  bird  rises  in  a  huge  ever- 
narrowing  spiral  until  at  its  apix  he  is 
directly  over  where  he  started;  he  then 


WOODCOCK. 


139 


discends  on  rocking  wings  to  his  starting 
point,  giving  a  continuous  melodious  sub- 
dued whistle.  The  performance  is  often 
repeated  many  times  during  the  evening, 
but  great  caution  is  necessary  in  approach- 
ing the  bird  as  he  is  easily  alarmed. 

Fig.  109 


Stilt  Sandpiper.     1-3 

Breeds  throughout  eastern  N.  A.  from 
Fla..  north  to  Canada  in  March  and  April. 
Often  nests  in  birch  or  alder  swamps.  Goes 
south  in  Oct.  and  Nov.;  north  in  late  Feb. 
and  March.  Once  common  but  becoming 
rare. 


140  SHOKE    B1KDS. 

96.     EUROPEAN  WOODCOCK. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  larger,  13, 
and  in  being  distinctly  banded  beneath. 
Northern  Eastern  Hemisphere;  occasional 
in  Eastern  N.  A. 

Fig.  110 


Knot.     1-5. 

97.  WILSON  SNIPE. 
More  slender  than  Woodcock  but  about 
the  same  length;  grayer  above,  mottled  and 
streaked  with  darker ;  crown  with  a  divided 
line  of  lighter;  white  beneath  with  a  band 
of  dusky  streaks  across  breast;  a  subterminal 
band  of  chestnut  on  tail,  fig.  107.  Occurs 
in  open  fresh  water  marshes;  when  startled 


WILSON    SNIPE.  141 

rises  quickly  and  flies  swiftly  in  a  zig-zag 
course  uttering  a  bleating  scape  as  it  goes 
and  showing  the  under  wing  marking  which 
are  banded  with  black  and  white,  the  black 
being  as  wide  or  wider  than  the  white; 
when  high  in  air  winds  are  circles  about,  but 

Fig.  Ill 


Purple  Sandpiper.     1-5. 

is  quite  apt  to  return  and  alight  near  where 
it  started.  In  spring  on  its  breeding  ground 
and  sometimes  in  migration,  can  be  heard 
producing  the  sound  called  winnowing;  it 
rises  high  in  air  sometimes  singly,  but  often 
three  or  four  together  and  flying  in  a  zig-zag 
way  utters  a  soft  bleating  cry.  Breeds  from 


142 


SHOKE    13IKDS. 


northern  U.  S.  northward,  occasionally 
further  south.  Winters  from  N.  C.  south 
to  northern  S.  A.  North  in  April  and  May; 
south  in  Sept.  and  Oct.,  but  sometimes  re- 
mains in  Mass,  into  Nov. 

98.     EUROPEAN  SNIPE. 
Differs  from  last  in  having  the  white 
bandings   on   wing   lining   wider    then    the 

Fig.  112 


Pectoral  Sandpiper. 

dark  interspaces.  Europe,  northern  Asia  and 
Africa,  frequent  in  Greendland;  accidental 
in  Bermuda. 

SANDPIPERS,    ETC.,    ETC. 

Occur  chiefly  in  marshes,  either  salt  or 
fresh  or  on  sea  beaches,  occasionally  in  dry 


SANDPIPERS.  143 

fields  but  never  in  wooded  swamps.  Folded 
wings  reaching  bayond  tail.  Highly  grega- 
rious in  habit.  Summer  and  winter  plumage 
different,  but  sexes  similar.  General  flight 
swift  and  direct  with  a  rapid  wing-beats; 
turning  and  wheeling  in  air  is  performed 

Fig.  113 


White-rumped  Sandpiper.     1-4. 

with  ease  and  grace  large  flocks  moving  with 
a  regularity  which  is  surprising.  All  species 
run  swiftly ;  although  none  when  adult 
swim  voluntarily  when  uninjured,  wounded 
birds  and  young  often  enter  the  water  and 
swim  with  ease. 


144  SHORE    BIRDS. 

99.     DOWITCHER. 

Bill  very  long,  2.35,  nearly  twice  the 
length  of  the  head;  size,  medium,  10,  Sum- 
mer; cinnamon  throughout  streaked  writh 
brown  above  spotted  with  dusky  beneath; 
lower  back,  rump  and  tail  white,  banded  with 
dusky;  bill  brown;  feet,  greenish;  fig.  108. 

Fig.  114 


Baird  Sandpiper. 

In  winter  the  color  above  is  plain  gray; 
white  beneath  banded  on  lower  neck  and 
sides  with  gray.  Young  are  darker  above 
tinged  on  both  surfaces  writh  reddish  buff. 
Note  a  mellow  whistle  uttered  as  the  bird 
rises  and  when  on  the  wing;  this  call  is 
often  followed  by  one  or  two  others  which 
are  low  and  querulous.  Occurs  about  muddy 


146 


SHORE    BIRDS. 


spots  on  salt  marshes  and  sloughs,  singly  or 
in  flocks,  some  of  which  are  very  large. 
When  feeding  probes  with  bill  by  pushing 
it  straight  downward  often  putting  its  head 
under  water.  Tame  and  easily  approached. 
Eastern  N.  A.  breeding  far  north,  passes 

Fig.  11(5 


Red-backed  Sandpiper. 

south  chiefly  along  the  coast  in  July  and 
Aug.  Winters  from  N.  C.  to  the  W.  1.  and 
Brazil;  north  in  May;  abundant  at  this 
season  in  the  Bahamas  but  not  as  common 
further  north. 


SANDPIPERS.  147 

100.     LONG-BILLED  DOWITCHER. 

Differs  from  last  in  having  bill  longer, 
3.10,  and  being  deeper  in  color  beneath 
where  there  are  few  or  no  blotches,  western 
N.  A.  heeding  in  Alaska  and  near  Arctic 
coast,  south  through  western  U.  S.  including 
the  Mississippi  Valley,  and  less  commonly 
along  Atlantic  coast  to  winter  in  Mexico. 

Fig.  117 


Curlew  Sandpiper. 

101.     STILT  SANDPIPER. 

Slender,  9;  bill,  >  longer  than  head; 
summer,  tail,  white;  remaining  upper  parts 
dusky  brown  streaked  and  banded  with 
dusky;  patch  on  side  of  head,  reddish;  white 
beneath,  banded  with  dusky.  Winter  gray- 
ish above,  no  redish  spot  on  side  of  head, 
beneath,  white  unbanded,  fig.  101.  Young, 
more  buffy  above  than  last  and  with  a  buff 
tinging  on  breast.  Note,  a  chuckling  whistle. 


SANDPIPERS.  149 

Flight,  swift  and  direct  with  rapid  wing- 
beats.  Occurs  often  with  Dowitcher  in  similar 
places.  In  feeding,  habitually  puts  head 
wholly  beneath  water.  For  comparisons  with 
Lesser  Yellowlegs,  see  that  species.. 

Eastern   N.   A.  breeding   north   of   the 
U.  S.    Winters  in  S.  A.,  south  in  July  when 

Fig.  119 


Western  Sandpiper. 

it  is  not  uncommon  on  coast  of  Mass. ;  north 
in  April  when  common  in  Fla.  but  rare 
further  north  on  the  coast. 

102.     KNOT. 

Rather  stout,  10.50,  with  rather  short, 
quite  thick  bill.  Summer,  ashy-gray'above, 
mottled  with  dusky  and  reddish;  upper  tail 


150  SHOKE    BIRDS. 

coverts,  white  banded  with  dusky;  pale  cin- 
namon beneath  narrowly  streaked  on  breast 
and  banded  on  sides  with  dusky,  fig.  Ill; 
bill,  brown;  feet,  greenish.  Winter  silvery 
gray  above ;  white  beneath  tinged  with 
yellowish.  Young  differs  from  winter  in 

Fig.  120 


Sanderlin^.     1-4. 

being  without  the  yellowship  tinge  below. 
Note,  a  clear,  double  whistle  not  loud  nor 
often  given  in  migration.  Occurs  on  sandy 
beaches  in  small  flocks,  by  itself  or  singly 
in  company  with  other  beach  birds.  North- 
ern Hemisphere,  breeding  far  north;  goes 


SANDPIPERS.  151 

south  on  the  Atlantic  coast-  of  N.  A.  from 
middle  July  until  Nov.  Winters  from  N.  C. 
southward,,  but  is  not  found  on  the  Bahamas 
and  is  rare  in  the  W.  I.;  north  in  May,  when 
not  uncommon  on  south  shore  of  N.  E.  but 
rare  north  of  Cape  Ann. 

Fig.  121 


Lesser  Yellow-legs.     1-5. 

103.     PURPLE  SANDPIPER. 

Stout,  short-legged,  8.50;  bill  about  as 
long  as  head;  summer  appearing  nearly 
black  above  and  white  below;  with  breast 
and  sides  strongly  overwashed  with  gray- 


152 


SHORE    BIRDS. 


ish;  bill  dark  brown,  orange  at  base;  feet, 
greenish  yellow,  fig.  109;  winter  and  young 
with  dark  upper  parts  obscured  with  gray- 
ish which  is  more  extended  below;  upper 
tail  coverts  and  rump  black  in  all  stages. 
Note,  a  feeble  whistle.  Northern  portion 

Fig.  122 


Solitary  Sandpiper.     1-4. 

of  Northern  Hemisphere,  breeding  far  north; 
migrating  south  in  N.  A.  in  Oct.;  appearing 
on  the  coast  of  N.  E.  about  Nov.  1.  Winters 
from  Canada,  south  to  the  Great  Lakes  and 
upper  Mississippi  Valley  and  on  the  Atlantic 
coast  locally  from  Grand  Menan  to  the  south 
shore  of  N.  E.,  more  rarely  to  N.  J.  and 


SANDPIPERS, 


153 


casually  to  Fla.  Occurs  most  frequently  on 
rocky  islands;  ^oes  north  in  April  but  occa- 
sionally remains  until  May. 

104      PECTORAL  SANDPIPER. 

Rather  stout,  8.50,  bill  about  as  long  as 
head;    summer,    dark    bro\\n     above     with 


Fig 


Willet.     1-4. 

feathers  margined  with  brownish  buff;  white 
beneath;  foreneck  and  breast  clouded  with 
buff  streaked  with  dusky;  bill,  brown;  feet, 
greenish,  fig.  113.  Winter  more  obscured 


154  SHORE    BIRDS. 

with  buff  above.  Young  more  rusty  above 
and  more  buff  below;  rump  and  upper  tail 
coverts  always  dark.  For  comparison  see 
White-rumped  Sandpiper.  Note,  a  rolling 
whistle,  often  given  harshly  and  gratingly. 
Flight,  when  startled  swift  and  erratic, 

Fig.  124 


Ruff.     1-5. 

something  like  that  of  Wilson  Snipe. 
Occurs  with  other  Sandpipers  about  sloughs 
and  among  the  grass  of  salt  marshes  where 
it  has  the  habit  of  squatting  to  hide  when 
approached.  Breeds  in  the  Arctic  of  N.  A. 


SANDPIPERS.  155 

south  from  the  middle  of  July  until  the  first 
of  Nov.  when  abundant  on  coast  and  rather 
common  in  interior,  not  common  on  Atlantic 
coast  south  of  N.  J.  Winters  far  south  in 
S.  A.,  north  in  May  when  rare  on  coast  and 
common  in  interior. 

Fte.  125 


Bartramian  Sandpiper.     1-8. 

105.    WHITE-RUMPED  SANDPIPKR. 

Smaller  than  last,  7,  more  slender;  sum- 
mer, rump  and  upper  tail-coverts  white, 
grayer  above,  tinged  with  reddish;  no  de- 
cided clouding  across  breast,  fig.  113,  as  in 
the  last.  Winter  with  no  reddish  tinge 
above.  Young  more  reddish  above  and  buffy 


156 


SHORE    BIRDS. 


below.  Note  a  short,  sharp  whistle.  Flight, 
ordinary.  Occurs  on  beach,  salt  marsh  and 
margins  of  pounds  near  sea.  Occasionally 
occurs  in  small  flocks  but  are  usually  found 
with  other  sandpipers.  Eastern  N.  A.  breed- 
ing far  north;  winters  in  southern  S.  A. 

Fig.  126 


Buff-breasted  Sandpiper.     1-4. 

casually  as  far  north  as   Fla.     This  is  the 
Bull  Peep  of  sportsmen. 

106.     COOPER  SANDPIPER. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  larger,  9.50, 
in  having  only  a  trace  of  reddish  above,  and 
in  having  conspicuous  V-shaped  marks  of 
black  on  upper  tail  coverts.  Only  a  single 


SANDPIPERS.  157 

specimen  known,  obtained  on  Long  Island, 
N.  Y.,  May  24,  1833. 

107.     BAIRD  SANDPIPER. 

Similar  to  Pectoral  but  smaller,  7.25, 
and  with  weaker  bill,  fig.  114,  is  much  paler 
below  and  there  are  fewer  streakings  on 

Fig.  127 


Spotted  Sandpiper.     1-4. 

breasts.  Young  have  all  of  the  feathers 
above  narrowly  and  abruptly  margined  with 
pale  grayish  buff  which  is  conspicuous 
enough  to  give  the  back  a  sealed  appearance. 
Note  not  unlike  that  of  Pectoral  but  weaker. 
Breeds  in  Alaska  and  on  the  Barren  Grounds; 


158  SHORE    BIRDS. 

goes  south  in  Aug.  and  Sept.,  but  chiefly 
through  the  interior  of  the  Western  States; 
rare  on  the  Atlantic  coast  from  N.  E.  south- 
ward; north  in  April,  but  always  through 
the  interior. 

Fig.  128 


Marbled  Godwit. 

108.     LEAST  SANDPIPER. 

Smallest  of  our  Sandpipers,  6.15;  in 
spring  much  like  a  small  edition  of  the 
Pectoral,  but  not  as  much  clouded  nor 
streaked  on  breast,  fig.  115;  winter,  grayish 
above  but  with  dark  markings  prominent 
and  with  buffy  clouding  on  breast.  Young 


SANDPIPEKS. 


159 


with  much  rufous  above  and  the  breast 
decidely  buff.  Bill  always  brown  and  feet 
greenish  yellow.  Ordinary  call  a  trilling 
whistle;  also  gives  a  low  piping  note  when 
feeding,  besides  these  gives  sweet  tremulo 
calls  as  a  flight  song.  This  is  the  Peep  or 

Fig.  129 


Hudsoman  Godwit.     1-6. 

Mud  Peep  of  gunners  and  is  very  abundant, 
occurring  most  frequently  about  ponds  on 
the  marshes  and  in  sloughs;  less  seldom  on 
fresh  waters  and  sea  beaches.  While  it 
sometimes  occurs  singly  or  in  small  com- 
panies, it  also  occurs  in  flocks  from  100  to 
500  or  more.  Breeds  north  of  the  U.  S. ; 


160 


SIIOKE    BIRDS. 


passes  south  in  July  and  Aug.;  winters  from 
N.  C.  southward    into    S.  A.;    comes    north 

in  May. 

109.     RED-BACKED  SANDPIPER. 

Larger,  8.25;  bill  longer  than  head  and 
curved,  fig.   116.     Summer,  above  red    dis- 


Longbilled  Curlew.     1-8. 

tinctly  spotted  with  black;  wings,  gray; 
white  beneath,  with  large  patch  of  black  on 
belly.  Winter,  ashy  above,  white  beneath 


SANDPIPERS.  161 

with  breast  tinged  with  ashy.  Young  show 
traces  of  rufous.  Upper  tail  coverts,  bill 
and  feet  always  black.  A  very  unsuspicious 
species  that  occurs  on  sandy  beaches  more 
often  than  elsewhere,  sometimes  singly  but 
more  often  in  flocks  or  in  company  with 

Fig.  131 


Hudsonian  Curlew.     1-8.  ' 

other  Shore  Birds,  call,  a  rather  plaintive, 
melodious  Purre;  when  alarmed  utters  a 
short  cackling  cry.  N.  A.  breeding  far 
north;  goes  south  from  Sept.  to  Nov.;  winters 
from  N.C.  southward;  north  in  May.  Abund- 
ant on  Atlantic  coast  in  fall  but  rather  un- 
common in  spring  north  of  N.  C. 


162  SHORE    BIRDS. 

110.     DUNLIN. 

Differs  from  the  Red-back  in  having 
less  red  above,  the  black  markings  predomi- 
nating, is  more  heavily  streaked  with  black 
below,  but  black  of  belly  is  less  conspicuous. 
Northern  parts  of  Old  World;  accidental  in 
eastern  N.  A.;  one  record  for  Mass. 

Fig.  132 


Esquimo  Curlew.     1-8. 

111.     CURLEW  SANDPIPER. 

About  size  and  form  of  last  with  bill 
slightly  curved,  fig.  117;  summer,  upper 
tail  coverts  white;  tail  gray,  lower  parts 
reddish  chestnut;  upper  parts  varied  with 
blackish  and  rusty.  Winter,  not  dissimilar 


SANDPIPERS.  163 

to  Red-blacked  at  this  season  but  the  upper 
tail  coverts  are  white,  not  black  as  in  that 
species.  Old  World,  occasional  in  eastern 
N.  A.  and  Alaska.  There  are  a  number  of 
N.  E.  records. 

Fisr.  133 


Black-bellied  Plover.     1-8. 
(Adult,  youn£  in  flight.) 

112.     SEMIPALMATED  SANDIPER. 

Differs  from  the  Least  Sandpiper  in 
being  larger,  6.75,  bill,  75;  grayer  above 
with  only  a  slight  tinge  of  reddish  on  sides 
of  head  in  spring  and  with  no  clouding 
below,  but  a  few  streakings  on  breast, 


164  SHORE    BIRDS. 

fig.  118.  Winter  there  is  no  buff  or  reddish 
anywhere.  Young,  slightly  marked  with 
reddish  above;  the  breast  is  slightly  clouded 
with  no  streakings;  bill  and  feet,  black. 
Are  abundant  species  both  spring  and  fall 

Fig.  134 


Golden  Plover,     1-8. 

all  along  our  coast  and  often  on  fresh  water 
of  interior  frequently  occurring  in  flocks  of 
hundreds.  Ordinary  note  not  unlike  the 
peep  of  the  Least  Sandpiper  and  a  low  roll- 
ing note  given  both  when  sitting  and  in 
flight;  in  spring  gives  a  series  of  musical 


SANDPIPEKS.  165 

notes,  a  kind  of  love  song  as  the  bird  ad- 
vances with  down-curved  pinions  and  rapid 
wing-heats.  Occurs  throughout  eastern  N. 
A.  breeding  north  of  the  U.  S.;  comes  south 
from  middle  of  July  until  Nov.;  winters 
from  N.  C.  through  the  Bahamas  and  W.  I. 

Fig.  135 


Killdeer.     1-3. 

to  S.  A.;  north  in  May.  Stragglers  of  this 
species  and  of  a  number  of  other  sandpipers 
that  usually  go  north  of  us  are  often  found 
in  Mass,  all  summer.  Sportsmen  cnll  this 
species.  Peep,  Black-legged  Peep  and  Sand 
Peep. 


166 


SHORE    BIRDS. 


113.     WESTERN  SANDPIPER. 

Similar  to  the  Semipalmated  but  bill 
longer  and  stouter,  and  in  spring  upper 
parts  and  head  marked  with  bright  cinna- 
mon and  distinct  streaks  and  triangular 
spots  of  dusky  which  extend  along  sides, 
fig.  119,  in  fall  distinguished  by  a  longer  and 

Fig.  136 


Semipalmated  Plover. 

larger  bill.  Breeds  far  north  in  western  N. 
A.,  goes  south  about  the  same  time  as  the 
Semipalmated  and  winters  in  the  same 
sections;  common  in  Fla.  in  winter  and 
spring  but  uncommon  further  north;  a  few 
occur  along  the  coast  in  fall  as  far  north  as 
N.  E.,  but  not  in  spring. 


SANDPIPERS. 


167 


114.  SANDERLING. 
A  medium  sized,  7.50.  stoutish  three- 
toed  Sandpiper  with  a  rather  short  bill. 
Summer,  light  rusty  above  and  anteriorly 
below,  spotted  and  blotched  on  hack  and 
breast  with  dusky;  white  wing  band  and 

137 


Piping  Plover.     1-3. 

conspicuous  patch  of  black  on  bend  of  wing. 
Winter,  the  whitest  of  our  Sandpipers;  pale 
gray  above,  under  parts  pure  white  then 
dark  patch  on  wing  is  very  conspicuous, 
fig.  120.  Young  differ  from  winter  adult 
in  being  slight  mottled  with  black  above 
but  are  pure  white  below;  bill  and  feet, 


168 


SHORE    BIRDS. 


always  black.  Common  on  sand  beaches 
from  middle  July  to  middle  Nov.  often 
occurring  in  large  but  straggling  flocks. 
Winters  from  N.  C.  to  Patagonia;  goes  north 
in  May  when  it  is  less  common.  An  un- 
rig. 138 


Wilson  Plover. 


usually  silent  bird,  the  sounds  emitted 
being  a  squeeky  whistle  and  low  conversa- 
tional notes  when  feeding. 

115.     GREATER  YELLOWLEGS. 

One  of  our  largest  Shore  Birds,  14;  bill 
longer  than  head,  2.25;  neck  and  legs  long; 


SANDPIPERS. 


169 


summer,  upper  tail  coverts  white  banded 
with  dusky;  dark  gray  above  spotted  with 
yellowish  white;  white  beneath,  streaked 
and  spotted  on  lower  neck  and  banded  on 
sides,  axillaris  and  under  wing  coverts  with 

Fig.  139 


Wilson  Plover,  Young. 

dusky;  winter  and  young  not  noticeably 
different.  Bill,  black;  feet  and  legs,  yellow. 
Occurs  on  marshes  and  mud  flats,  where  it 
makes  itself  conspicuous,  especially  in  flight, 
by  its  loud,  clear  whistle  which  consists  of 
three  or  four  notes  and  is  frequently  uttered; 


170  SHOEE    BIRDS. 

beside  this  call  it  gives  a  kind  of  scream  in 
spring,  something  like  put  of  the  common 
Tern,  and  a  rolling  or  scolding  note.  Common 
on  the  coast  and  not  unfrequent  in  the  in- 
terior near  water.  Flight,  steady  with  long 
wing  beats  varied  with  intervals  of  sailing. 

Fig.  140 


Turnstone.     1-5. 

In  settling,  the  bird  sails  then  suddenly 
alights  by  dropping  its  long  legs;  when 
down  it  often  raises  its  long  wings  over  its 
back.  Breeds  in  northern  N.  A.,  goes  south 
from  July  15  to  Aug.  15;  winters  from  N. 
C.  southward,  north  in  April  and  May. 


SANDPIPERS. 


171 


116.  LESSER  FELLOWLEGS. 
Smaller  than  last,  10.25,  color  very 
similar;  fig.  121.  Calls  not  very  different 
but  the  whistle  usually  consists  of  two  notes 
and  these  and  the  roll  are  not  as  loud;  the 
whistle  is  sometimes  given  as  continuous 

Fig.  141 


Oyster-catcher.     1-10. 

repetitions  as  bird  sits.  Breeds  far  north  in 
N.  A.;  comes  south  from  July  1  to  Sept.  15, 
when  it  is  common  along  the  coast  and  not 
infrequent  in  the  interior;  winters  in  south- 
ern S.  A.;  rare  in  Fla.  at  this  season;  north 


172  SHORE    BIRDS. 

in    April    and    May,    when    uncommon    on 
Atlantic  coast  but  abundant  in  Mississippi 

Valley. 

117.     GREENSHANK. 

Differs  from  Greater  Yellow  legs  in 
having  the  lower  back  and  rump  pure  white 
without  markings.  Eastern  Hemisphere, 
breeding  far  north ;  accidental  in  Fla. 

Fig.  142 


White  Ibis.     1-20. 

118.     SOLITARY  SANDPIPER. 

Slender,  small,  8.50,  bill,  slender;  sum- 
mer, upper  tail  coverts,  dark  but  tail  is 
broadly  branded  with  white;  dark  above 
finely  marked  with  white,  white  below  dis- 
tinctly streaked  on  lower  neck,  breast  and 
sides  with  dusky;  bill,  black;  feet,  dark 
greenish,  fig.  122;  winter  but  slightly  differ- 


SANDPIPERS.  173 

ent,  young  rather  lighter.  Note,  a  whistling 
peat  repeated  four  or  five  times  when  the 
bird  is  on  the  wing;  flight  rather  rapid,  not 
very  direct  with  wings  kept  high  and  thus 
beats  are  strong.  Teters  somewhat  when 
sitting  but  not  as  much  as  does  the  Spotted 
Sandpiper.  Breeds  occasionally  in  northern 

Fig.  143 


Koseate  {Spoonbill.     1-4. 

IT.  S.  but  more  commonly  further  north; 
goes  south  in  Aug.,  Sept.  and  Oct.  Winters 
in  extreme  southern  states,  the  W.  I.  and 
northern  S.  A.,  north  in  April  (Bahamas, 
rare)  and  May.  Occurs  on  fresh  waters, 
usually  ponds  and  pools,  in  pairs  or  at  best 
in  small  companies  of  five  or  six,  never  in 
large  flocks. 


174  SHORE    BIRDS. 

119.     GREEN  SANDPIPER. 

Differs  from  the  last  in  being  a  little 
longer,   10,  and  in  having    the   middle  tail 

Fig.  144 


Glossy  Ibis.     1-1(5. 

feathers  broadly  banded  with  white  and  the 
upper  tail  coverts  pure  white.  Places  its 
eggs  in  the  abandoned  nest  of  some  tree- 
building  bird,  and  our  closely  allied  Solitary 
probably  has  the  same  habit.  Northern 
parts  of  Old  World;  accidental  in  eastern 
N.  A. 


SANDPIPEKS.  175 

120.     WILLET. 

Large,  14,  stout  with  long,  thick  bill 
and  large  feet.  Summer,  brownish  buff 
varied  with  dark  brown.  There  is  a  large 
white  patch  on  wing  and  the  axillaries  and 
wing  linings  are  black,  best  seen  in  flight, 

Fig.  145 


Bittern.     1-20. 

fig.  123;  white  beneath,  head  and  sides 
streaked  and  banded  with  dusky;  bill,  brown; 
feet,  bluish.  Winter,  without  bands  or  spots 
above  or  below.  Young  more  yellowish 
above  and  on  sides.  A  noisy  bird  constantly 
crying  Pillie-willie-willet  in  loud,  shrill  tones, 


176  SHORE    BIRDS. 

also  gives  a  loud  rasping  cry  and  a  chuckling 
note  when  alighting.  Occurs  singly,  in 
pairs,  or  in  small  flocks,  on  mud  flats  or 
sandy  beaches.  Occasionally  perches  on 
dead  branches  of  trees.  Flight  rather  slow 
and  direct;  wing-beats  strong  and  well  down, 
not  rapid.  Breeds  from  N.  J.  to  Fla.  and 

Fig.  146 


Least  Bittern.     1-6. 

irregularly  north  to  N.  E.  Resident  from 
N.  C.  southward  and  in  the  Bahamas,  un- 
common on  the  coast  of  Mass,  in  fall  and 
rare  in  spring. 

121.     WESTERN  WILLET. 
Larger   than  last  with  a  longer  more 
slender  bill,  and  with  fewer  and  paler  band- 


SANDPIPERS.  177 

ings  in  summer.  Interior  of  N.  A.  from  the 
Mississippi  to  the  Rocky  Mountains.  Winters 
on  south  Atlantic  and  Gulf  coast. 

122.     RUFF. 

A  large,  11,  stout  Sandpiper,  males  of 
which  are  remarkable  in  having  a  cape  of 
elongated  feathers  about  neck  and  a  ruff 
above  it,  fig.  124;  face  naked.  Color  variable, 
ruff  and  cape,  either  chestnut,  buff,  black 
or  white,  plain,  streaked  or  barred;  beneath 
and  on  sides  of  rump,  white.  .  Female,  with- 
out ruff  or  cape;  plumage,  barred  with 
black,  white  a,nd  rusty;  white  beneath. 
Northern  parts  of  eastern  Hemisphere,  occa- 
sional in  eastern  U.  S.  but  chiefly  on  coast. 

123.     BARTRAMIAN  SANDPIPER. 

Rather  large,  12,  with  short  slender  bill; 
neck  long;  buffy  throughout,  darker  above 
spotted  and  barred  with  black,  fig.  125.  Call 
note,  a  clear,  rather  shrill  whistle.  Flight 
strong  and  direct,  with  comparatively  slow 
wing-beats.  Breeds  in  the  far  north  in  N.  A.; 
goes  south  in  Aug.  at  which  time  it  is  not 


178  SHORE    BIRDS. 

uncommon  on  the  coast  of  Mass.,  frequent- 
ing hills  near  the  sea. 

The  upland  Plover,  the  popular  name 
of  this  species,  frequents  hill  tops  near  the 
coast,  especially  in  Autumn,  both  in  N.E. 

Fig.  147 


Ward's  Heron.     1-12. 

and    further   South,  but  when  breeding  is 
found  in  fields. 

124.     BUFF-BREASTED  SANDPIPER 

Rather  small  and  slender,  8,  with  a  short 
bill;    buffy    mixed    with    black   above  and 


SANDPIPERS.  179 

spotted  with  it  below,  fig.  126,  axillaries  and 
wing  lining  white,  showing  in  flight.  Young 
have  feathers  bordered  with  wrhite.  Flight 
rapid,  but  rather  flitting.  Call, a  clear  whistle 
given  when  on  the  wing.  Breeds  in  the  far 
northern  interior  of  N.  A.  where  it  is 
abundant;  goes  south  in  Aug.  and  Sept.,  but 
in  fall  appears  to  be  nowhere  common; 
winters  in  S.  A.,  north  in  May  when  seldom 
if  ever  found  on  Atlantic  coast.  An  in- 
conspicuous species. 

126.     SPOTTED  SANDPIPER. 

Rather  small,  7.50;  short  lesrged;  bill, 
medium;  white  beneath,  marked  with 
rounded  spots  of  dusky;  broad  band  through 
wing,  white;  greenish  brown  above  streaked 
and  spotted  with  dusky,  fig.  127;  tail  tipped 
with  white  and  outer  feathers  are  banded 
with  same;  in  winter  is  without  handings 
above  or  spots  below,  fig.  127.  Young  with 
buff  bandings  on  wings  and  tail.  Dowrny 
young  yellowish  gray  above,  with  narrow 
black  line  down  back  and  on  either  side  of 


180  SHORE    BIRDS. 

head;  white  beneath.  Flight  direct  but 
slow,  the  wing  tips  being  held  below  the 
level  of  the  body  and  vibrated  quite  rapidly. 
In  passing  over  water  flies  close  to  surface 
and  if  attacked  by  a  hawk  dives  into  it  out  of 
sight,  to  afterwards  emerge  flying.  Occurs 
singly  or  in  small  companies  in  late  summer 
or  autumn,  never  in  large  flocks  on  both  salt 
and  fresh  water.  Goes  south  in  late  Oct., 
stragglers  remaining  into  Nov.  as  far  north 
as  Mass.,  winters  sparingly  from  N.  C.  to 
Fla.,  common  from  this  point,  and  on  the 
Bahamas,  southward  to  southern  Brazil; 
north  in  Apffl. 

126.     MARBLED  GODWIT. 

Large  18.50,  with  a  very  long,  4,  some- 
what recurved  bill;  pale  cinnamon,  through- 
out, streaked  on  head  and  neck  and  irreg- 
ularly banded  elsewhere  with  dusky,  fig.  128. 
Young,  without  markings  beneath.  Cries 
in  spring  a  series  of  shivering  notes;  in 
winter  when  alarmed,  harsh  and  discordant. 
Breeds  in  interior  from  Iowa  and  Neb. 


SANDPIPERS.  181 

northward  to  Manitoba  and  Saskatchewan 
where  it  occurs  on  dry  prairies.  Goes  south 
in  Aug.  and  Sept.  when  accidental  or  very 
rare  on  the  Atlantic  coast  from  Mass,  to  N. 
C.;  formerly  wintered  commonly  in  northern 
and  middle  Fla.  on  both  coasts,  now  rarely 

Fig.  148 


White  Heron.     1-30. 

found  on  the  east  coast,  but  occurs  on  the 
west  coast  and  in  Guatemala  and  Yucatan; 
north  in  April.  Is  found  on  the  borders  of 
pools  of  both  salt  and  fresh  water  and  on 
mud  flats  in  flocks  as  in  eastern  Fla.  up  to 
1877  and  probably  somewhat  later. 


182  SHORE    BIRDS. 

127.     HUDSONIAN  GODWIT. 

Smaller,  15,  upper  tail  coverts  always 
pure  white;  tail  black;  otherwise  chestnut 
spotted  with  dusky;  axillaries,  black,  fig.  129. 
In  winter  chestnut  replaced  by  gray.  Young 
more  buffy.  Breeds  far  north  in  eastern 

Fig.  149 


Snowy  Egret.     1-8. 

N.  A. ;  south  in  Aug.  and  Sept.,  when  un- 
common on  coast  of  N.E.;  winters  in  extreme 
southern  S.  A.;  north  in  April  and  May. 
Frequents  mud  flats,  sloughs  and  beaches. 
Flight,  swift  and  direct.  Note,  low  and 
double. 


SANDPIPERS.  183 

128.     BLACK-TAILED  GODWIT. 

Differs  from  last  chiefly  in  having  axil- 
laries  white.  Europe,  accidental  in  Green- 
land. 

129.     LONG-BILLED  CURLEW. 

Larger,  24;  bill,  strongly  curved  varying 
in  length  from  3  to  8;  cinnamon  throughout 
but  more  reddish  below,  marked  above  and 
streaked  below  on  neck,  breast  and  sides 
with  dusky;  fig.  130.  Breeds  through  the 
interior  of  temperate  N.  A;  south  in  Sept. 
when  formerly  not  uncommon  on  coast  of 
N.  E.  now  seldom,  if  ever,  found  here; 
winters  chiefly  in  Guatemala;  formerly,  up 
to  1877  and  somewhat  later  was  common 
at  this  season  from  N.  C.  to  middle  Fla.  now 
none  occur  over  this  section;  north  in  April. 
Note,  a  shrill,  scream-like  whistle.  Flight, 
slow  with  long  sweeping  wing-beats. 

130.     HUDSONIAN  CURLEW. 
Smaller,  17,   paler.     There  is  a  super- 
cilliary  and  central  line  on  head,  axillaries 
banded  with  dusky.     Breeds  in  far  northern 


184  SHOKE    BIRDS. 

N.  A.;  south  in  Aug.  when  not  uncomnon 
on  coast  of  N.  E.  and  southward,  sometimes 
remaining  until  Oct.;  winters  all  over  S.  A, 
call  note,  a  clear  whistle,  fig.  131.  Flight, 
strong  and  direct  with  rather  slow  wing- 
beats. 

Fig.  150 


Green  Heron.     1-5. 

131.  ESQUIMO  CURLEW. 
Smaller,  13.50,  bill  2.25;  differs  from 
last  in  color  in  absence  of  buff  on  crown 
and  in  having  markings  on  side  arrow- 
shaped,  fig.  132.  Call  note,  a  soft,  mellow 
whistle  given  in  flight.  Moves  in  large, 
dense  flocks,  sweeping  about  much  as  sand- 


SANDPIPERS.  185 

pipers  do.  Breeds  far  north  in  eastern  N. 
A. ?  south  in  Aug.;  when  it  was  once  abundant 
on  coasts  of  Labrador  and  south  to  N.  E.. 
now  exceedingly  rare  and  on  the  verge  of 
extinction;  winters  in  southern  S.  A.,  north 
in  April  when  it  avoids  the  Atlantic  coast, 
passing  through  the  Mississippi  Valley  and 
westward  to  the  plains. 

132.     WHIMBREL. 
Differs  from  the  Hudsonian  Curlew  in 
having  the  rump  and  axillaries  white,  the 
latter  banded  with  black.     Northern  parts 
of  Old  World,  occasional  in  Greenland. 

PLOVER. 

Difiers  from  other  Shore  Birds  in  having 
shorter  bills  and  necks,  and  larger  heads; 
toes,  three. 

133.     LAPWING. 

About  the  size  of  the  Black-bellied 
Plover,  13;  wings  round,  head  crested,  top 
of  head  and  forehead,  throat  and  breast, 
blue-black;  back,  metallic  green,  bluish  and 


186  SHORE    BIRDS. 

purple;  upper  and  lower  tail  coverts,  rufous; 
tail,  black  with  basal  half  and  tip,  sides  of 
head,  neck  and  belly,  white;  in  winter  the 
throat  is  black.  Active  and  noisy.  Northern 
parts  of  Eastern  Hemisphere;  occasional  in 
Greenland  and  on  Long  Inland. 

Fig.  151 


Louisiana  Heron.     1-6. 

134.  BLACK-BELLIED  PLOVER. 
Our  largest  Plover,  12.  Summer,  lower 
parts  and  sides  of  head,  black;  forehead, 
sides  of  breast,  upper  and  under  tail  coverts, 
white;  above  irregularly  spotted  with  dusky 
and  white,  fig.  133;  bill  and  feet,  black;  in 
winter  gray  above,  white  beneath.  Young, 
like  last  but  have  the  back  spotted  with 


SANDPIPEKS.  187 

yellow.;  in  all  stages  the  axillaries  are  black. 
Breed*  in  the  northern  portion  of  northern 
Hemisphere,  south  from  middle  July  to 
Nov.  1;  winters  from  N.  C.  and  Bahamas 
south  through  the  West  Indies  into  S.  A. 
Common  on  coast, rare  in  interior.  Frequents 
beaches,  but  is  sometimes  seen  on  mud  flats. 
Notes,  a  wild,  sweet  whistle,  also  gives  a 
chuckling  sound  when  alighting.  Flight, 
swift  and  strong  with  rapid  wing-beats. 
Occurs  singly  or  in  small  flocks. 

135.     GOLDEN  PLOT  ER, 

Smaller,  10.50,  bill,  more  slender,  the 
axillaries  are  always  gray  and  the  back 
spotted  writh  golden  yellow;  in  winter  and 
young,  grayish  beneath,  fig.  134.  Breeds 
in  Arctic  America;  south  in  Aug.  and  Sept. 
when  common  on  coast  of  Labrador,  rare  in 
in  N.  E.  when  up  to  the  early  70s  it  was 
common,  frequenting  the  hills  on  the  shore. 
Now  the  greater  number  fly  directly  south 
from  Newfoundland  to  West  Indies  on  their 
way  to  winter  quarters  in  southern  S.  A.; 


188  SHORE    BIRDS. 

north  in  May,  parsing  through   interior  of 
N.A.  Note,  a  single,  mellow  whistle.  Flight, 
as  in  the  last. 
136.     EUROPEAN  GOLDEN  PLOVER. 

Differs  from  the  last  in  having  the 
axillaries  and  under  wing  coverts  white. 
Northern  Europe  and  Eastern  Greenland. 

137.     KILLDEER. 

A  slender  Plover,  10  long;  tail,  long, 
rounded;  double  black  ring  on  neck.  Ashy- 
brown  above;  lower  back,  rump,  upper  tail 
coverts  and  tail  pale  cinnamon,  the  lattter 
tipped  with  white,  preceded  by  a  black 
band;  band  on  wing,  forehead,  and  under 
parts,  white;  eyelids,  red;  fig.  135.  Young, 
a  little  more  reddish  above.  Bill,  black; 
feet,  yellow  in  all  stages.  Downy  young, 
with  a  single  band  on  neck..  Noisy,  con- 
stantly crying,  killdee,  in  loud  and  shrill 
tones  as  it  flies.  Flight,  rapid,  not  direct 
for  the  bird  twists  and  turns;  wing-beats 
quick,  but  long  and  decided.  Frequents 
moist  places  either  on  the  coast  or  in  the  in- 


SANDPIPERS.  189 

terior,  sometimes  on  the  sea  beaches  or  on 
bodies  of  fresh  water.  Often  squats  to  hide 
when  approached  then  rises  suddenly  with 
loud  cries.  Somewhat  nocturnal,  flying 
readily  by  night.  Breeds  throughout  tem- 
perate N.  A.  but  although  it  nests  in  Mass., 

Fig.  152 


Little  Blue  Heron. 

it  is  not  common  here  at  any  time.  Goes 
south  in  Oct.  and  Nov.;  .winters  from  N.  C. 
(rarely  from  Mass.)  south  to. northern  S.  A.; 
not  common  in  the  Bahamas  and  Greater 
Antilles;  north  in  March  and  April. 

138.     SEMIPALMATED  PLOVER. 

Smaller,   7,  and   not  as  slender;  single 
black    ring    completely    surrounding    neck, 


190  SHORE    BIRDS. 

paler  brown  above  than  last;  lunette  on 
forehead,  outer  tail  feathers,  tips  of  all  but 
central  pair,  and  beneath,  white;  bill,  black 
orange  at  base;  feet,  yellow,  fig.  136.  Young, 
with  black  less  bright  and  more  buffy  above. 
Breeds  in  Arctic  and  Sub- Arctic  N.  A. ;  south 
from  middle  July  to  middle  Oct.,  when 

Fig.  153 


Black-crowned  Night  Heron. 

abundant  on  coast  and  somewhat  common 
in  suitable  places  in  interior;  winters  from 
southern  Fla.  and  Bahamas  through  the  W. 
1.  to  Brazil.  Occurs  on  beaches,  sloughs, 
and  mud  flats.  North  in  April  and  May 
when  less  common  on  Atlantic  coast.  Move 
inx  compact  flocks  but  when  feeding  scatter 


SANDPIPEKS.  191 

much,  running  about  in  all  directions,  keep- 
ing head  well  up.  (These  two  latter  named 
habits  characterize  all  of  the  Plovers).  Flight, 
swift  and  direct  with  rather  long  wing- 
beats.  Call  note,  quite  a  plaintive  whistle; 
also  gives  a  single  prolonged  note  when 
sitting. 

139.     RING  PLOVER. 
Differs    from    the    last    in   having    the 
ring    much    broader.      Breeds    in    northern 
parts   of   Old    World  and  on   west  shore  of 
Cumberland  Gulf  in  N.  A. 

140.  PIPING  PLOVER. 
Palest  of  our  Plovers,  size  of  last,  but 
differs  in  being  yellowish  brown  above,  in 
having  no  black  on  side  of  head,  and  the 
ring  is  represented  by  two  spots,  one  on 
either  side  of  neck,  fig.  137.  Young  with 
often  no  trace  of  ring.  Breeds  from  coast 
of  Va.,  north  to  Newfoundland,  in  June, 
south  in  Sept.,  winters  on  the  Fla.  keys  and 
in  the  Greater  Antilles;  north  from  middle 
April  through  May  when  it  is  rare  on 


192 


SUCRE    BIRDS. 


Bahamas.  Note,  a  long,  sweet  mournful 
whistle.  Common  but  rare  on  the  coast  of 
Mass.,  north  of  Cape  Ann  in  Summer. 

141.     BELTED  PIPING  PLOVER. 
Differs  from  last  in  having  the  black 
band  crossing  the  breast.  Mississippi  valley, 

Fig.  154 


Black-crowned  Night  Heron.     1-8. 

breeding  from  northern  111.,  north  to  Lake 
Winnipeg.    Occasional  on  the  Atlantic  coast. 

142.     WILSON'S  PLOVER. 
Larger,  8,  bill  thicker  and  longer;  sexes 
not    similar.      Male,  with    forehead,    stripe 


SANDPIPERS.  193 

over  eye  and  beneath,  white.  Fore  part  of 
crown,  streak  from  bill  to  eye  and  con- 
tinuous band  on  breast,  black;  above  but 
little  darker  than  Piping  Plover,  fig.  138. 
Female,  with  neck  ring  brown.  Young,  more 
reddish  above.  Breeds  from  Long  Island 
southward  through  the  Bahamas,  W.  I.  and 
along  the  Gulf  coast,  in  May;  casual  as  far 
north  as  Nova  Scotia  in  summer.  Winters 
from  the  Fla.  Keys,  south,  through  the  W.  I. 
to  S.  A.  Flight,  rather  heavy.  Call  note, 
a  single  short,  but  loud,  whistle;  daring  the 
breeding  season  utters  a  series  of  rattling 
notes. 

143.     MOUNTAIN  PLOVER. 

Larger,  8.50;  similar  in  general  color  to 
the  last,  but  the  black  on  head  is  replaced 
by  a  more  or  less  continuous  tinging  of 
brown.  Breeds  on  the  western  plains  from 
Kansas  northward  to  Canada,  in  May. 
Occurs  on  dry  plains  and  feeds  chiefly  on 
insects;  goes  south  in  late  fall  to  winter  in 
Southern  Cal.,  Lower  Cal.,  Tex.  and  Mex.; 


194  SHORE    BIRDS. 

accidental  on  Key  West,  Fla.     Note,  a  plea- 
sing whistle. 

144.     TURNSTONE. 
Medium,    9.50,    forehead,    middle    and 
lower  back,  wing  band,  upper  tail  coverts, 
tail  and  below,  white;  large  patch  on  breast, 

Fig.  155 


Yellow-crowned  Night  Heron,  adult  and  young.     1-8. 

extending  on  side  of  head,  V-shaped  mark 
on  rump,  subterminal  band  on  tail,  black; 
above  varied  with  black  and  red,  fig.  140; 
winter,  with  less  reddish  above;  young, 
wholly  without  it,  but  the  black  V  on  rump 
is  always  present.  Breeds  far  north,  comes 
south  from  Aug.  to  Oct.  Winters,  from  N. 


SANDPIPERS.  195 

C.  south  through  S.  A.  to  the  Straits  of 
Magellan;  goes  north  in  April  and  May. 
Frequents  sandy  and  stony  beaches  where 
it  turns  over  small  stones,  seaweed,  etc.,  in 
search  of  food,  whence  its  name.  Call,  a 
clear,  melodious  whistle,  consisting  of  two  or 
three  notes;  also  gives  a  chuckling  sound. 
Flight,  moderately  swift  and  direct  with 
strong  wing-beats.  Less  common  on  our 
coast,  north  of  N.  C.  in  spring  than  in  fall. 

145.     OYSTER-CATCHER. 

Large,  19;  above,  head  and  neck  black- 
ish; patch  on  wing  and  beneath,  white.  Bill 
and  eyelids,  crimson;  feet,  pale  pink,  fig.  141. 
Young,  marked  with  buff  above.  Breeds 
on  the  Atlantic  coast  from  N.  J.  southward; 
formerly  wintered  from  N.  C.  to  Patagonia, 
now  rare  on  our  coast  at  this  season,  ac-^ 
cidental  north  to  Grand  Menan.  Frequents 
sandy  shores  and  mud  flats,  feeding  chiefly 
upon  oysters.  Flight  slow  but  direct,  with 
strong  wing-beats.  Alarm  note  when  start- 
led, a  harsh  discordant  scream,  but  gives  a 


196  SPOONBILLS  AND  IBISES. 

series  of  more  mellow,  yodeling  cries.     Now 
not  very  common  in  eastern  U.  S. 

146.    EUROPEAN  OYSTER-CATCHER. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  smaller,  16, 
and  the  white  of  the  upper  tail  coverts  ex- 
tended on  to  the  lower-back.  Europe,  oc- 
casional in  Greenland. 

SPOONBILLS     AND     IBISES. 

Large  birds  with  long  necks,  bills  and 
legs;  wings,  broad;  tails,  short.  Aquatic, 
frequenting  mud-flats  and  muddy  shores  of 
both  salt  and  fresh  water.  Food,  small 
crustaceans  and  fishes.  Flight,  direct  and 
rapid  with  quick  wing-beats,  the  neck  is 
extended  and  the  feet  held  straight  out  be- 
hind. Nests,  placed  in  trees,  composed  of 
sticks.  Social,  often  gathering  in  large 
flocks.  Sexes,  similar. 

147.     ROSEATE  SPOONBILL. 
Large,    30;    bill,    flattened    and    spoon- 
shaped.     Rose    pink,   patch    of  crimson   on 
lower  neck  in  front,  on  wing,  on  upper  and 


IBIS. 


197 


lower  tail  coverts;  naked  head,  green;  bill, 
bluish;  feet,  pink,  fig.  143.  Young  have 
head  feathered,  and  color  pale  without  crim- 
son markings.  Resident  in  southern  Atlan- 
tic Gulf  States.  Bahamas  and  southward  to 

Fig.  156 


Wood  Ibis.     1-10. 

Patagonia.     Eggs,  ashy  white  spotted  with 
brown. 

148.     WHITE   IBIS. 

Smaller,  24;  bill,  curved;  white;  tips  of 
four    outer    primaries,    black;     bill,    naked 


198 


SHORE    BIRDS. 


space  about  head,  and  legs,  yellow,  fig.  142. 
Young,  head,  neck  and  above  slate-brown; 
lower  back,  rump,  upper  tail  coverts  and 
beneath,  white.  Resident  in  Fla.  and  other 
Gulf  States,  Greater  Antilles  and  northern 
S.  A.;  north  in  summer  to  N.  C.  and  III., 
casually  to  L.  I.  and  Conn. 

Fig.  157 


Sandhill  Crane.     1-4. 


149.     SCARLET  IBIS. 

Larger,  29;  scarlet  throughout,  tips  of 
outer  primaries,  black.  Young,  brown; 
belly,  white.  Resident  on  eastern  coast  of 
Tropical  America;  accidental  in  Fla.,  La. 
and  Tex. 


SANDPIPERS.  199 

150.  GLOSSY  IBIS. 
Smaller,  23;  head,  neck,  lesser  wing 
coverts  and  beneath,  dark  chestnut;  above 
metallic  green,  bronze  and  purple;  space  in 
front  of  eye,  greenish;  bill  and  feet,  brown, 
fig.  144.  Young,  gray-brown,  head  and  neck 
streaked  with  white.  Warmer  parts  of 
Eastern  Hemisphere;  not  uncommon  in  ex- 
treme southern  portion  of  eastern  U.  S. 
wandering  casually  north  to  N.  E.  and  111. 

151.     WHITE-FACED  GLOSSY  IBIS. 

Differs  from  last  in  having  a  narrow 
line  of  white  at  base  of  bill,  and  space  in 
front  of  eye,  lake-red.  Western  U.  S.,  south 
to  the  Argentine  Republic;  occasionally 
breeding  in  Fla. 

Herons. 

Wading  birds  with  long  neck  and 
legs  and  long,  pointed  bills;  wings,  broad; 
tail,  short;  flight,  strong  with  comparatively 
slow  wing-beats;  the  neck  is  doubled  back- 
ward, but  the  legs  are  extended  out  behind. 
Food  chiefly  fishes,  occasionally  crustaceans, 


200  SHORE    BIKDS. 

frogs  or  even  small  mammals.  Cries  harsh. 
Young,  at  first  naked,  helpless  and  fed  by 
regurgitation,  but  are  soon  covered  with 
down,  unless  otherwise  stated;  nests  are 
made  of  sticks  and  are  placed  in  trees  or 
bushes;  eggs  3-5,  greenish  blue. 

Fig.  158 


Limpkin.     1-8. 

152.  AMERICAN  BITTERN. 
Large,  29,  dark-brown  streaked  and 
spotted  with  yellow-buff;  triangular  patch 
on  side  of  neck,  black;  bill  and  feet,  greenish, 
fig.  145.  Young,  similar  but  paler.  Nest- 
lings covered  with  long  yellowish  down. 
Breeds  throughout  temperate  N.  A. ;  south 


BITTERNS.  201 

in  Oct.,  winters  from  Fla.  southward  to 
Guatemala;  north  in  April.  Common,  breed- 
ing habits  solitary.  Nests,  placed  on  ground 
in  iriaccessable  fresh  water  bogs  or  occasion- 
ally in  salt  marshes;  eggs  3-6  green-ash  or 
brown,  when  alarmed  the  bittern  often 
squats  in  grass  or  will  even  enter  water 
leaving  the  bill  only  exposed;  at  other  times 
will  stand  motionless  with  neck  perpen- 
dicular and  bill  pointing  upward,  then  re- 
sembles a  stake.  Cries,  when  startled,  harsh 
and  sharp.  In  May  and  June  the  singular 
punk-a-pog  notes  are  given.  Flight,  direct 
and  rather  swift  with  quick  wing-beats. 

153.     LEAST  BITTERN. 

Small,  13;  male;  top  of  head,  back  and 
tail  greenish  black;  sides  of  head,  sides  of 
neck,  upper  wing  coverts,  and  beneath, 
yellow-buff,  fig.  146.  Female,  with  back 
brown.  Bill  and  feet  always  yellow.  Tem- 
perate N.  A.  breeding  from  Mass,  (where  it 
uncommon)  to  Fla.;  winters  from  Fla.  to 
Brazil.  Eggs  3-4,  pale  greenish 


202  HERONS. 

154.  CORY  LEAST  BITTERN. 
Differs  from  last  in  being  darker  above 

and  uniform  reddish  chestnut  beneath. 
Rare,  has  been  taken  in  Fla.,  Mich.,  Mass., 
Wis.,  0.,  N.  Y.,  Toronto. 

155.  GREAT  WHITE  HERON. 
Large,  47.     Pure  white;    bill,  yellow; 

feet,  greenish.  Occurs  on  low,  mud-bordered 

Fig.  159 


King-Rail.     1-6. 

Fla.  Keys.  Not  common;  rare  .in  Fla.  as  far 
north  as  Ormond  and  Lake  George.  Flight, 
heavy  with  slow  wing-beats. 

156.     WURDEMAN  HERON. 
Differs  from  last  in  being  darker,  ash 
above,  in  having  streaks  of  black  and  rufous 


BITTERNS.  203 

on  neck  in  front,  bend  of  wing  and  tibia 
chestnut  and  top  of  head  white,  streaked 
with  black.  Resident  on  Fla.  Keys;  rare; 
possibly  a  color  phase  of  last. 

]57.  WARD  HERON. 
A  little  smaller  than  last,  differs  in 
having  lower  parts  more  broadly  streaked 
with  black,  a  lar^e  black  patch  on  sides  of 
breast,  and  the  occiput  with  its  plume  and 
sides  of  head,  black,  leaving  middle  crown 
and  forehead,  white.  Neck,  yellow  gray, 
fig.  147.  Young,  with  top  of  head  dull  slate; 
neck,  darker  and  back  marked  with  reddish. 
Resident  in  Fla.,  breeding  in  March. 

158.     GREAT  BLUE  HERON. 

Smaller,  45,  bill  smaller,  usually  has 
more  black  below.  Breeds  throughout  entire 
N.  A.  from  the  Arctic  southward,  excepting 
at  least  middle  and  southern  Fla.,  Bahamas 
and  W.  I.  nesting  in  high  trees;  goes  south 
from  Sept.  to  Nov.;  winters  from  N.  C.  to 
northern  S.  A. ;  occasionally  as  far  north  as 
Mass.;  north  in  March  and  April. 


204  HERONS. 

159.     EUROPEAN  BLUE  HERON. 

Smal  ler,  37,  with  tibia  and  bend  of  wing, 
white.  Northern  portions  of  Eastern  Hemis- 
phere; accidental  in  southern  Greenland. 

160.  WHITE  HERON. 

38;  back  with  greatly  elongated  plumes, 
stiffened,  with  barbs  separated ;  white 
throughout;  fig.  148.  Winter  and  young 
without  plumes;  bill,  orange;  feet,  black. 
Breeds  through  temperate  and  tropical 
America,  from  N.  J.,  Minn,  and  Ore.  south 
to  Patagonia;  casual  on  Atlantic  coast  as  far 
north  as  Nova  Scotia.  Now  not  common 
anywhere  in  U.  S. 

161.  SNOWY  EGRET. 
Smaller,   24,   head,    breast    with    egret 

plumes  which  are  more  or  less  recurved  at 
tips;  white  throughout,  fig.  149;  winter  and 
young  without  plumes;  bill  and  legs,  black; 
feet  and  space  at  base  of  bill,  orange.  Tem- 
perate and  tropical  America  from  N.  J. 
south  to  the  Argentine  Republic  and  Chili; 
casual  as  far  north  as  Nova  Scotia. 


EGRETS.  205 

152.     REDDISH  EGRET. 

Medium  size,  80,  back  plumes  present; 
head  and  neck,  reddish;  bill,  black,  purple 
at  base;  feet,  black.  Young,  plain  gray. 
Resident  in  southern  Fla.,  chiefly  on  the 
extreme  southern  and  western  coasts,  west 
along  the  Gulf  coast  to  Texas  and  both 

Fig.  160 


Clapper  Rail.     1-4. 

coasts  of  Mexico  and  Guatemala;  in  summer 
wandering  north  to  southern  111.;  recorded 
from  Cuba  and  Jamaica;  now  rare  in  U.  S. 

163.     CHANGING  EGRET. 

Differs  from  last  in  having  the  plumage 
irregularly    mixed     with    white.       Young, 


2*06  HERONS. 

similar  but  frequently  without  white  mot- 
tlings.  Not  rare  on  west  coast  of  Andros, 
Bahamas,  casual  in  Fla. 

Fig.  161 


Sora.     1-3. 

164.     PEALE  EGRET. 

Differs  from  the  two  last  in  being  white 
throughout  in  all  stages.  Resident  in  Fla. ; 
chiefly  the  east  coast,  west  along  the  Gulf 
coast  to  Texas,  south  to  Honduras;  Andros 
and  Inagua,  Bahamas. 


HERONS.  207 

165.     LOUISIANA  HERON. 

Medium,  25;  neck  and  bill  long  and 
slender.  Head,  neck  and  back  plumes 
preser&t;  above,  ash-blue;  line  down  neck  in 
front,  reddish  and  white;  beneath,  white; 
bill,  black,  blue  at  base;  feet,  gray,  fig.  151. 
In  winter,  bill  and  feet  greenish,  changing 
to  yellow  towards  spring.  Young,  much 
tinged  with  reddish.  Wing-beats,  rapid. 
Solitary  when  not  mating.  Resident  in 
Gulf  States,  Mex.,  C.  A.,  Bahamas  and  W. 
L,  casual  northward  to  N.  J.  and  Ind. 

166.     LITTLE  BLUE  HERON. 

Smaller,  22;  dark  slaty  blue;  head  and 
neck,  maroon,  fig.  152;  this  is  the  usual  dress 
but  specimens  occur  which  have  the  plumage 
much  mixed  with  white.  Young,  always 
white  with  the  tips  of  primaries  bluish  at 
base,  and  feet  greenish.  Very  agile;  springs 
quickly  into  air  to  fly  with  rapid  wing-beats. 
Eastern  U.  S.,  from  N.  J.,  111.  and  Kan. 
south  to  Bahamas,  W.  I.  to  northern  S.  A., 
casually  north  along  coast  to  Mass,  and 
Me.;  winters,  from  N.  C.,  south. 


208  HERONS. 

167.  GREEN  HERON. 
Small,  17.50;  above,  greenish,  looking 
dark  in  the  distance;  neck, chestnut-redvline 
down  front  black  and  white,  beneath  brown, 
bill  and  feet  yellow,  fig.  150.  Young,  mot- 
tled with  reddish  above.  Agile  running  on 

Fig.  162 


Florida  Gallinule.     1-5 

ground  and  springing  quickly  into  air  and 
flying  with  rapid  wing-beats.  Note,  a  shrill 
cry  often  repeated  several  times.  Common, 
frequenting  swampy  margins  of  rivers, 
ponds  and  lagoons.  Nests  in  low  trees  and 
bushes.  Breeds  throughout  temperate  N.  A. 
south  to  Key  West  Fla.  and  southern  S.  A. 
Winters,  from  N.  C.  southward. 


EGRETS.  209 

168.    BLACK-CROWNED  NIGHT  HERON. 

Larger,  26,  and  stouter;  ash-white;  top 
of  head  and  back  black;  bill,  dark;  feet, 
yellow;  slender  plume  on  back  of  head, 
white.  Young,  brown,  white  streaked,  figs. 
153  and  154,  small  fig.,  young.  Very  com- 
mon, breeding  in  large  heronry.  Flight 
and  wing-beats,  slow.  Cry  a  harsh,  abruptly 
given  quack  uttered  in  flight \  and  other 
gutteral  sounds  best  heard  on  the  breeding 
grounds.  Social  at  all  time.  Although  noc- 
turnal, frequently  feed  by  day,  especially  in 
breeding  season.  Nests  from  March  (Fla.) 
to  June  (northern  N.  E.) 

169.     YELLOW-CROWNED  NIGHT 
HERON. 

Smaller  than  last,  23;  bill,  thicker; 
head  and  back  plumed,  darker  above  strekaed 
with  black  especially  on  crown  and  sides  of 
head.  Young,  darker  brown,  narrowly 
streaked  with  lighter.  Cry.  similar  but  not 
as  harsh  and  i«  less  seldom  given.  Often 


210  STORKS. 


feeds  by  day;  a  large  portion  of  its  food 
consists  of  crabs.  Rather  solitary  but  nests 
in  small  communities.  Flight,  rapid  with 
rather  quick  wing-beats.  America  from  N. 
C.  and  the  lower  Ohio  Valley,  south  to  Brazil 
and  Peru,  casually  north  to  Mass.,  fig.  155. 


Fig.  163 

X 


Purple  Gallinule.     1-5. 

,  'STORKS. 


Large  birds  with  stout  bodies,  long 
necks,  legs  and  bills,  head  and  a  portion  of 
neck  destitute  of  feathers.  Young,  helpless; 
sexes,  similar. 


CRANES.  211 

170.     WOOD  IBIS. 

Large,  43;  bill,  strongly  curved;  white, 
primaries  tail,  bill  and  legs,  black;  feet, 
yellow;  naked  head  and  upper  neck,  blackish 
covered  with  whitish  scales.  Young,  head 
and  neck  feathered,  dull  brown  throughout. 
Cries,  harsh  and  discordant.  Head,  neck 
and  legs  outstretched  in  flight,  fig.  156; 
wing-beats  slow,  frequently  rises  high  in  air 
to  cricle  about.  Social,  nesting  in  com- 
munities in  high  trees;  nests  composed  of 
sticks;  eggs,  1-2,  chalky-white.  Frequents 
ponds  in  swamps  and  pine  woods,  in  summer; 
in  winter  more  in  thick  swamps,  southern 
U.  S.,  north  to  the  Ohio  Valley,  south  to 
the  Argentine  Republic. 

CRANES. 

Our  species  differ  from  last  in  having 
hind  toe  elevated,  thus  cannot  perch  on 
trees;  front  of  head  only  destitute  of  feathers. 
Nests  placed  on  ground  in  fresh  marshes, 
eggs  1-3,  yellowish-brown.  Young  leave 


212  CRANES. 

nest  early  and    follow   parents.     Not  very 
social;  sexes,  similar. 

171.     SANDHILL  CRANE. 

Medium,  41;  slaty -blue  throughout, 
primaries  brown,  naked  space  in  front  of 
head  lake;  bill  and  feet,  black,  fig.  157. 
Young,  somewhat  yellowish  above.  Give 
loud,  harsh  gobbling  cries.  Sometimes  dan- 
ces with  half-raised  wings.  Frequents  ponds 
in  pine  woods.  Shy  and  difficult  to  approach. 
Southern  N.  A.;  rather  common  in  unset- 
tled portions  of  Fla. 

172.     LITTLE  BROWN  CRANE. 

Smaller  than  last,  35.  Northern  N.  A. 
from  Alaska  to  Hudson  Bay ;  accidental  east 
of  Mississippi. 

173.  WHOOPING  CRANE. 
Larger,  52;  white,  primaries,  black. 
Young,  yellowish,  otherwise  as  in  the 
Sandhill  Crane.  All  the  species  have  slow 
wing-beats  and  hold  neck  and  legs  out- 
stretched, fig.  157,  and  sometimes  soar  high 


CRYING    BIRDS.  213 

in  air.  Interior  of  N.  A.  from  the  Fur 
Country  to  Fla.,  Tex.,  Mex.  and  from  0. 
to  Col.  Not  now  found  in  Fla. 

CRYING    BIRDS. 

Bill  longer  than  head;  neck  and  legs, 
long;  wings  of  medium  length  but  broad; 
tail,  short.  Color,  dull.  Sexes,  similar. 

Fig.  164 


Coot. 

174.     LIMPKIN. 

Length,  26.  brown  streaked  very  dis- 
tinctly with  white;  throat,  white;  bill  and 
feet,  brown,  fig.  158.  Partly  nocturnal, 
occurring  on  the  borders  of  swamps.  Cries, 
harsh  and  discordant;  when  alarmed  gives 
chickling  notes,  the  head  in  jerked  back 
and  forward  and  the  tail  held  erect;  runs 
among  bushes  with  swiftness.  Food  chiefly 
the  animals  of  fresh  water  mollusks.  Nests 


214         RAILS,  GALLINULES  AND  COOTS. 

composed  of  sticks  placed  in  bushes  near 
water;  eggs,  5-7,  dull  buff  spotted  with 
brown.  Flight,  heavy  with  slow  wing-beats, 
the  head  outstreatched  and  the  feet  dang- 
ling, fig.  158.  Fla.,  Greater  Antilles  and 
Central  America. 

Fig.  165 


Coot,     1-5. 

RAILS,    GALLINULES    AND 
COOTS. 

Medium  size  or  small,  legs  long,  bodies 
compressed  and  thin;  wings  short  and 
rounded,  all  of  the  species  run  well  but  are 
poor  flyers,  moving  in  a  straight  line  with 
rapid  wing-beats  and  dangling  legs;  in 
alighting  will  drop  from  a  little  height  upon 


RAILS.  215 

ground  or  water.  Food,  insects,  aquatic 
animals  and  vegetable  substance.  Young, 
covered  with  down  when  hatched  and  active; 
black. 

175.     KING  RAIL. 

Large,  18;  ash-red  above,  distinctly 
streaked  with  dark-brown,  chestnut  red  on 
wing-coverts  and  beneath;  flanks  banded 
with  white;  throat,  line  from  bill  over  eye, 
and  abdomen,  white;  bill  and  feet,  brown, 
fig.  159.  Usually  occurs  on  fresh-water 
marshes,  but  occasionally  found  on  salt 
marshes.  Breeds  in  May.  Nests,  placed  on 
grounds,  eggs,  5-7,  buff  spotted  with  brown. 
Cries,  harsh  and  craking.  Eastern  U.  S., 
north  to  the  middle  states;  casually  to  Mass., 
Me.  and  Ontario. 

176.     VIRGINIA  RAIL. 

Similar  to  last  in  color  but  smaller,  10. 
Young,  nearly  black.  Besides  the  harsh, 
rail-like  craking,  rapidly  given,  it  utters  a 
chuckling  note  when  slightly  alarmed  and  a 


216 


HERONS. 


sharp  squeak  when  much  annoyed.  The 
downy  young  keep  up  a  constant  peeping 
when  running  about  in  the  marshes.  N.  A. 
from  Canada  south  in  early  Oct.;  winters 
from  N.  C.  to  Guatemala;  north  in  early 
April. 

177.     CLAPPER  RAIL 

Differs  from   the   King   Rail   in    being 
smaller,  14,  and  in   being   overwashed   with 

Fiff.  166 


Merganser. 

ashy  above  and  below;  streakings  not  as 
distinct,  Notes  fig.  160.  The  usual  rail-like 
crake  and  a  harsh  scream  when  annoyed. 
Atlantic  and  Gulf  coasts  of  the  U.  S.  north 
to  Conn.;  casual  in  Mass.;  resident  from  the 
Potomac  southward.  Breeds  in  March  and 
April. 


KAILS.  217 

178.     LOUISIANA  CLAPPER  RAIL. 

Paler  than  last  above,  but  more  dis- 
tinctly streaked,  and  red  below  deeper. 
Coast  of  Louisiana. 

179.     FLORIDA  CLAPPER  RAIL. 

Bill  more  slender,  much  darker,  nearly 
black  above,  ashy-gray  below,  mixed  with 
cinnamon.  Salt  marshes  of  Western  Fla. 

180.     SORA. 

Smaller,  9,  bill  shorter  than  head;  face 
and  throat  black;  bill,  yellow;  feet,  green; 
brownish-yellow  above  broadly  streaked 
with  brown,  dotted  and  short-lined  with 
white;  breast  and  sides  of  neck,  bluish;  re- 
maining under  parts,  white;  sides  and  flanks 
banded  with  black.  Young  are  over  washed 
with  reddish  below  and  black  markings  are 
absent.  Notes  not  as  rapid  as  with  the 
Virginia  Rail;  gives  a  whistling  cry  like 
cur-we  and  some  short  chuckles.  When  a 
gun  is  discharged  or  a  stone  thrown  into 
the  water  of  the  marsh  that  it  inhabits,  will 


218 


RAILS. 


respond  by  giving  explosive  cries.  Tem- 
perate N.  A.  breeding  from  the  middle 
states  northward;  goes  south  in  early  Oct.; 
north  in  April,  fig.  161. 

181.     SPOTTED  CRAKE. 
A  little  smaller  than   last,   head   neck 
and    breast    thickly    spotted    with    white. 
Northern   parts  of  Old  World;  occasional  in 
Greenland. 


^Merganser.     1-10. 

182.     YELLOW  RAIL. 

Small,  7;   yellow-buff,  broadly  streaked 
on    flanks    with    dark    brown,    secondaries 
white-tipped,  conspicuous  in  flight.     Occurs 
in  marshes  but  sometimes  in  weedy  upland 
fields. 


RAILS.  219 

183.  BLACK  RAIL. 

Our  smallest  Rail,  5.50,  very  dark- 
brown  above,  spotted  and  transversly  banded 
with  white;  back  and  neck  chestnut-red; 
sides  of  head  and  under  portions,  blue-ash, 
banded  on  abdomen  and  under  tail  coverts 
with  white.  Breeds  throughout  temperate 
N.  A.,  north  to  Mass.,  northern  111.  and 
Ore.;  winters  from  Fla.,  south  through  the 
W.  I.  to  Guatemala.  South  in  Sept.;  north 
in  April.  Very  rare  everywhere. 

184.  CORN  CRAKE. 

Larger,  10.50;  dark-brown  above,  mot- 
tled with  yellowish;  upper  and  under  tail 
coverts,  rusty-red;  beneath,  blue-gray;  flanks 
barred  with  reddish.  Europe  and  northern 
Asia;  casual  in  Greenland,  Bermuda  and 
eastern  N.  A. 

GALLINULES. 

Rather  larger,  rail-like, but  with  stouter 
bodies;  toes,  long  and  narrow;  bill,  shorter 
than  head  with  a  frontal  shield  on  fore- 


220  GALLIXULES. 

head;    sexes,    similar.     Inhabit    borders   of 
reed-inargined  streams  or  ponds. 

185.     FLORIDA  GALLINULE. 

14    long;    bluish    slate;    back,  bronzy, 
under    tail   coverts    and   streaks    on   flanks, 

Fig\  168 


Red-breasted  Merganser.     1-10. 

white:  head,  dusky;  bill,  yellow  at  tip  re- 
mainder and  frontal  plate  sealing-wax  red; 
fig.  162.  Young,  duller  with  bill  and  frontal 
plate  greenish.  Rather  social.  Swims  well 
and  dives  with  ease;  clings  to  aquatic  vegeta- 


GALLINULES.  221 

tion  beneath  water;  when  swimming  the 
feet  are  moved  as  in  walking  and  the  head 
is  moved  backwards  and  forward  with  them. 
Notes,  a  harsh.  Rail-like  kea  repeated  several 
times  and  given  more  often  at  night-fall  and 
a  metallic  chuck  when  annoyed.  Flight, 
direct  with  rapid  wing-beats  and  dangling 
legs.  Temperate  and  tropical  America  from 
Brazil  and  Chili  north  to  Canada;  rare  in  N. 
E.  and  middle  States;  resident  in  Fla.,  migra- 
tory further  north. 

186.     PURPLE  GALLINULE. 

Smaller,  12.50;  bright  brown-green 
above;  blue-purple  beneath;  sides,  greenish; 
under  tail  coverts,  white;  bill,  red  tipped 
with  yellow;  frontal  plate,  larger  and  blue; 
fig.  163.  Young,  duller  above,  reddish 
mixed  with  white  below.  South  Atlantic 
and  Gulf  States  south  through  the  W.  I., 
Mex.,  C.  A.  and  northern  S.  A.;  rare  or 
casual  north  to  Me.,  N.  Y.  and  Wis..  migra- 
tory in  the  U.  S.,  going  south  in  Sept., 
north  in  May.  Habits,  similar  to  those  of  last. 


222  COOTS. 

COOTS. 

Differs  from  Gallinules  in  having  toes 
widely  lobated.  fig.  164. 

187.     COOT. 

Larger  than  last,  16,  differs  from  it 
in  having  bill  white  and  white  tips  to 
secondaries,  conspicuous  in  flight;  fig.  165. 

Fig.  169  Fig.  170 


Hooded  Merganser.    1-8 


Smew.     1-8. 


Young,  duller  with  feathers  more  or  less 
tipped  with  white.  Notes,  half  melancholy 
whistles  followed  by  a  gutteral  chuckle. 
Flight,  direct  with  rapid  wing-beats  with 
neck  outstretched  and  legs  held  straight  out 
behind;  in  raising  from  water,  swims  rapidly 
then  runs  with  flapping  wings,  swims  well, 


COOTS.  223 

but  head  is  moved  as  in  the  last;  dives  but 
does  not  use  wings  under  water.  Breeds 
chiefly  in  northern  U.  S.  and  southern 
Canada;  occurring  more  rarely  north  to 
Greenland  and  Alaska;  goes  south,  largely 
through  the  interior  (but  occurring  in 
immense,  compact  flocks  at  this  season  on 
fresh  and  brackish  waters  in  Fla.);  north  in 
May  when  less  common  along  Atlantic 
border. 

188.     EUROPEAN  COOT. 

Differs  from  last  in  having  edge  of 
wing  and  first  primary  white,  and  there  is 
no  white  on  under  tail  coverts.  Northern 
Eastern  Hemisphere;  accidental  in  Green- 
land. 

DUCKS,    GEESE,    AND    SWANS. 

Water  birds  which  swim  readily.  They 
occur  upon  both  salt  and  fresh  water. 
Usually  social,  frequently  assembling  in 
large  flocks.  Sexes,  dissimilar. 


224 


MERGANSERS. 


MERGANSERS. 

Long-bodied,  long-necked  Ducks  with 
slender  bills,  fig.  166.  Males  appear  in  the 
eclipse  or  female  plumage  in  summer. 

189.     MERGANSER. 
Large,  24;  heeid  upper  neck  and  anterior 
back,  black;  remainder  of  back,  ashy;  white 

Fig.  171  Fig.  172 


Mallard.     1-12.  Black  Duck.     1-2. 

beneath,  strongly  tinged  with  salmon;  bill 
and  feet,  orange.  Large  white  wing-patch, 
fig.  167.  Female  and  summer  male;  head 
and  neck  reddish  with  a  well  defined  line  of 
demarkation  between  it  and  the  white 
beneath;  throat,  white;  back,  wholly  ashy. 
Young,  similar  to  female.  Breeds  from  Pa. 


MERGANSERS.  225 

northward;  goes  south  in  Sept.  and  Oct.; 
north  in  April.  Winters,  from  the  Middle 
States  southward  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 
More  scatteringly  north  to  Mass.  Common 
on  fresh  w-inter;  occasionally  seen  on  salt 
water.  Nests  placed  in  holes  of  trees;  eggs, 
6-10  pale  buff.  Cry  harsh,  but  duck  like. 

190.     RED-BREASTED  MERGANSER. 

Smaller,  22.  males  with  a  well  defined 
crest,  breast  and  sides  of  neck,  buff,  streaked 
with  black,  creamy  white  beneath,  fig.  168; 
female  and  summer  and  fall  male,  throat* 
less  white  and  red  of  head  and  neck  not 
separated  from  white  beneath  by  a  well  de- 
fined line  of  demarkation.  Young,  similar 
but  duller.  Nests,  on  ground;  eggs,  6-10, 
greenish-brown.  Breeds  chiefly  north  of 
the  U.  S.:  winters  from  N.  E.  to  Fla.  when 
it  occur  off  our  coast  in  flocks  of  thousands 
which  sit  on  the  water  in  compact  masses 
or  rise  and  fly  about  in  a  disorderly  manner; 
south  in  Oct.,  north  in  April. 


226 


MERGANSERS. 


191.     HOODED  MERGANSER. 

Smaller,  19,  head  prominently  crested; 
male,  head,  neck  and  collar  on  lower  neck, 
black;  patch  on  head  and  crest,  streaking 
above;  patch  on  wing  and  beneath,  white; 
sides  chestnut,  finely  banded  with  black; 
bill,  black;  feet,  dusky-orange,  fig.  169. 

Fig.  178 


Red-legged  Black  Duck.     1-2. 

Female  and  young  brown  on  head,  neck  and 
back;  white  beneath.  Occurs  more  often  on 
fresh  than  salt  water;  sits  low  when  swim- 
ming and  does  not  associate  in  large  flocks; 
is  apt  to  turn  quickly  about  on  water  and 
back  again.  Nests  in  cavities  of  trees;  eggs, 
6-10,  white.  N.  A.  south  to  Mexico  and 


RIVER    DUCKS.  227 

Cuba,    breeding    throughout    most    of    its 
range;  resident  from  N.  C.  southward. 

192.     SMEW. 

Smaller,  17;  patch  in  front  of  eye,  back 
and  two  crescent-shaped  bars  on  side  of 
breast,  black;  otherwise,  white.  Female, 
top  of  head,  brown,  rest  of  head  and  beneath, 
white;  back,  pale  brown.  Northern  Europe 
and  Asia;  accidental  in  eastern  N.  A. 

RIVER    DUCKS. 

Bill,  wide  and  flattened;  legs,  short,  but 
the  birds  walk  well  and  often  feed  on  land. 
Terminal  portion  of  inner  secondaries,  irri- 
descent,  forming  a  shining  surface,  the  spec- 
ulum. Do  not  dive  but  reach  down  into 
shallow  water  sometimes  tipping  the  body 
forward.  Nests,  on  ground;  eggs,  6-12, 
greenish. 

193.     MALLARD. 

Large,  24;  head  and  neck,  green;  lower 
neck  in  front  and  breast,  chestnut;  lower 
neck  behiftd  and  back,  reddish-brown,  finely 


-28 


1MVEK    DUCKS. 


banded  with  white,  but  becoming  black  on 
upper  tail  coverts,  the  tips  of  which  are  up- 
turned; beneath,  back  of  breast,  creamy- 
white.  Speculum,  dark  blue  bordered  by 
black,  which  is  margined  before  and  behind 
with  white;  bill,  greenish;  feet,  orange. 
Female  and  young,  dark-brown,  banded  and 

Fig.  174  Fig.  175 


1-12. 


Gadwall.     1-12.  Baldpate. 

spotted  with  yellowish  red;  speculum  as  in 
male.  Northern  parts  of  Northern  Hemis- 
phere; in  N.  A.  breeding  south  to  southern 
U.  S.;  most  common  in  northeastern  U.  S. 
during  migration  in  April,  Sept.  and  Oct.,  a 
few  remain  all  winter  as  far  north  as  Mass. 
but  the  greater  portion  winter  in  the  south. 
In  starting  from  water,  rises  obliquely. 


RIVER    DUCKS.  229 

Easily  tamed  and  is  the  origin  of  many  of 
our  domestic  ducks,  fig.  171. 

194.  BLACK  DUCK. 
A  little  smaller,  23;  dark  brown  streaked 
with  reddish-yellow;  speculum,  green,  bor- 
dered by  black  only;  fig.  172.  Female  and 
young  rather  more  yellowish;  in  all  stages 
the  throat  is  yellowish  with  few  or  no  spots; 
feet,  brownish;  bill,  green.  In  rising  from 
water  springs  into  air  nearly  perpendicularly 
to  the  height  of  ten  feet  before  darting 
away  in  swift  flight.  More  often  occurs  on 
fresh  than  salt  water.  Breeds  from  Mass. 
northward,  most  abundant  during  migra- 
tion, in  April  and  Sept.  Winters  from 
Mass,  to  S.  C. 

195.     RED-LEGGED   BLACK  DUCK. 

Larger  than  last,  darker;  throat,  thickly 
spotted,  fig.  173;  bill,  yellow;  feet,  red. 
Breeds  north  of  IT.  S. ;  goes  south  in  Oct.  to 
winter  in  great  numbers  from  Mass,  to  the 
Chesapeake;  north  in  April.  Occurs  more 
often  on  salt  water  than  on  fresh;  sometimes 


230 


DUCKS. 


congregating  along   the  coast  in   flocks  of 
hundreds. 

196.     FLORIDA  BLACK  DUCK. 

Smaller,    much    more    yellowish    than 
Black  Duck  and  more  broadly  streaked;  bill. 

Fig.  176  Fig.  177 


Greeo-wing  Teal.     1-8.  Blue-winged  Teal.     1-8. 

greenish;  feet,  reddish-orange.     Central  and 
southern  Fla.     Not  seen  in  large  flocks. 

197.     GADWALL. 

Smaller,  21 ;  speculum,  white  bordered 
in  front  with  black,  grayish  above,  reddish 
on  top  of  head;  bill,  black;  feet,  greenish, 
fig.  174.  Female,  brown  throughout,  spe- 
culum as  in  male.  Nearly  cosmopolitan;  in 
N.  A.  breeds  in  western  U.  S.  where  com- 


RIVER    DUCKS.  231 

mon;  rare  on  Atlantic  coast.  Goes  south  in 
Nov.  to  winter  in  Central  America,  north 
in  May.  Nests,  on  ground;  eggs,  6-10,  pale 
brown-buff. 

198.     BALDPATE. 

Size  of  last;  speculum,  black;  top  of 
head,  white;  grayish  above,  breast  and 
sides  ashy -red;  dark  stripe  behind  eye.  fig. 
175.  Female,  duller,  crown  spotted  with 
dusky.  Breeds  in  interior  of  N.  A.,  chiefly 
north  of  U.  S.  Winters  from  southern 
border  of  U.  S.  to  Central  America;  south 
in  Sept.  and  Oct.,  north  in  April;  rather 
rare  on  Atlantic  border  north  of  Fla.  Fre- 
quents fresh  and  brakish  waters. 

199.     WIDGEON. 

Differs  from  last  in  having  crown  yel- 
lowish and  remainder  of  head  and  neck 
chestnut- red.  Female,  speculum,  gray 
bordered  with  white,  excepting  below. 
Northern  parts  of  Old  World;  occurs  fre- 
quently in  eastern  U.  S. 


232 


TEALS. 


200.     GREEN-WINGED  TEAL. 


Small,  16;  speculum,  green  above, 
black  below,  narrowly  bordered  by  white 
behind;  head  and  neck,  chestnut- red,  green 
patch  behind  eye;  grayish  brown  above; 
crescent  shaped  mark  in  front  of  wing,  ring 
around  neck  and  beneath,  white;  breast 


Fig.  178 


Fig.  179. 


Shoveller.     1-10. 


Pin  Tail.     1-10. 


purplish  with  rounded  spots  of  black;  bill 
and  feet,  brown,  fig.  176.  Female,  brown 
above,  white  beneath,  slightly  spotted  with 
dusky  on  breast;  young  similar  to  female 
with  all  stages  occurring  between  this  dress 
and  that  of  adult  male,  speculum  always  as 
in  male.  Breeds  chiefly  north  of  U.  S., 


TEALS.  233 

winters  along  southern  border  of  U.  S. 
southward,  goes  south  in  Sept.  and  Oct., 
comes  north  in  March  and  April.  On 
Atlantic  border  occurs  more  frequently  on 
salt  than  fresh  water.  Nests  on  ground, 
eggs,  6-10,  pale  buff. 

201.  EUROPEAN  TEAL. 
Differs  from  last  chiefly  in  absence  of 
white  crescent  in  front  of  wing  and  in 
having  a  whitish  border  to  green  patch  on 
head.  Female  and  young,  scarcely  different 
from  last. 

202.  BLUE-WINGED  TEAL. 
Larger  than  Green-winged,  16;  patch  on 
wing,  blue,  speculum,  black  bordered  with 
white  behind.  Head  and  neck  gray;  white 
crescent  in  front  of  eye;  top  of  head,  black; 
back,  brown;  outer  webs  of  scapularies,  blue, 
black  and  green;  beneath,  pale  purplish 
spotted  with  black;  bill,  black;  feet,  yellow, 
fig.  177.  Female,  brown  marked  with  white; 
wings  as  in  male.  Young,  similar  to  fe- 
male with  intermediate  stages  in  males. 


234 


DUCKS. 


Breeds  chiefly  in  the  interior  of  N.  A.  from 
Kan.  and  southern  111.,  north  to  the  Saskat- 
chewan; winters  from  N.  C.  south  to  north- 
ern S.  A.;  south  in  Sept.,  north  in  April. 
Frequents  small  ponds  or  even  pools  usually 
of  fresh  or  brackish  water,  but  occasionally 

Fig.  180 


Wood  Duck.     1-9. 

is  found  on  salt  water  creeks.  When  alarmed 
and  in  flocks  on  water  gathers  into  a  com- 
pact mass.  Flight  exceedingly  swift. 

203.     CINNAMON  TEAL. 

Differs  from  last  in  having  speculum 
green,  head,  neck  and  lower  parts  rich  pur- 
plish chestnut  and  feet  orange.  Female 


SHOVELLER.  235 

differs  in  being  more  heavily  marked  with 
darker.  Western  America;  in  N.  A.  west  of 
the  Rocky  Mountains;  rare  east  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi River. 

204.     SHOVELLER. 
Larger,  20;  bill  greatly  widened  at  tip; 
speculum,  violet-green,  blue  patch  on  wing 

Fig.  181 


^ivis*. 

Redhead.     1-15. 


as  in  last;  head  and  neck,  dark -green;  breast, 
sides  of  back  and  wing-band,  white;  belly, 
chestnut;  bill,  black;  feet,  orange,  fig.  178. 
Female,  mottled  and  streaked  with  pale 
brown,  dark  brown  and  black;  wing  like 
male.  Young  male  with  intermediate  plum- 
age. Northern  Hemisphere;  in  N.  A.,  breeds 


236  DUCKS. 

from  Tex.  to  Alaska.  Winters,  commonly 
from  N.  C.  through  Gulf  States;  south  in 
Sept.  and  Oct.,  north  in  April.  Uncommon 
in  Atlantic  coast  states  north  of  N.  C. 
Occurs  in  small  ponds  both  salt  and  fresh  in 
small  flocks.  Nests,  on  ground;  eggs,  6-10, 
greenish.  Note  of  male,  a  short,  gutteral 
ihuck\  female,  quack. 

205.     PINTAIL. 

Larger,  25,  neck,  long  and  thin;  central 
tail  feathers,  long,  narrow,  bill  not  widened 
at  tip;  speculum,  violet-green;  head,  neck 
and  back,  brown;  two  lines  of  white  extend 
down  sides  of  neck  with  a  patch  of  black 
between  and  join  the  of  lower  parts;  wing 
coverts  ashy,  greater  tipped  with  reddish; 
bill  blue,  line  on  top  black,  feet  bluish, 
fig.  179.  Female,  speculum  gray;  dark- 
brown  above  marked  with  lighter;  yellow- 
ish-white beneath;  white  wing-band  in  both 
sexes.  Northern  Hemisphere,  in  N.  A. 
breeds  north  of  U.  S.;  south  in  Sept.-Nov.  to 
winter  from  Gulf  States  to  Pamama,  when 


WOOD    DUCKS. 


237 


very  abundant  in  Fla.,  frequenting  salt 
estuaries  of  coast  and  fresh  waters  of  in- 
terior; north  in  March.  Not  common  on 
Atlantic  coast,  north  of  Ga.  Male,  whistles; 
female,  quacks. 

206.     WOOD  DUCK. 

Our  most  beautiful  species,  18;    head, 
crested,  green;  line  over  eye,  one  behind  it, 

Fig.  182 


Canvasback.     1-16. 

triangular  throat  patch,  ring  around  neck 
and  belly  white;  breast,  chestnut;  back, 
brown;  sides  buff  finely  banded  with  black 
with  coarser  black  and  white  bandings  on 
flanks;  iris,  red;  bill,  pink;  feet  brown,  fig. 
180.  Female,  young,  and  eclipse  plumage  of 


238  DUCKS. 

adult  male  (occurring  in  mid-summer)  duller; 
head,  brown;  line  at  base  of  bill  and  space 
about  eye,  white,  this  being  larger  in  adult 
males;  breast,  streaked.  Breeds  throughout 
temperate  N.  A.,  south  in  Oct.;  winters  in 
Gulf  States;  north  in  April.  Nests,  placed 

Fig.  183 


Lesser  Scaup.     1-10. 

in  holes  of  trees;  eggs,  6-10,  pale  brown. 
Frequents  wooded  streams  and  small  ponds 
often  hiding  in  thickets;  rises  suddenly  and 
flies  swiftly  away  usually  following  the 
stream.  Breeding  note,  given  by  both  sexes, 
a  clear,  long-drawn,  plaintive  whistle,  re- 
peated rapidly. 


BEDHEAD.  239 

SEA     DUCKS. 

Sea-inhabiting  in  winter,  but  some 
species  breed  in  the  interior.  All  dive  well. 

207.     RUFOUS-CRESTED  DUCK. 

Of  medium  size,  21;  head,  conspicuously 
crested;  speculum,  white;  head  and  neck, 
reddish;  back,  brown;  below  and  rump, 

184 


Scaup.  $.     1-3. 

black;  large  patch  on  flanks,  white;  bill  and 
feet,  bright  red.  Female,  brown;  speculum, 
gray;  crest,  small.  Eastern  Hemisphere; 
accidental  in  eastern  U.  S. 

208.     REDHEAD. 

A   little   smaller,  20;   bill,   low  at  base 
and  not  projected  back  on  forehead;  spec- 


240  REDHEAD. 

culum,  gray,  black  margined  above;  head 
and  upper  half  of  neck,  brown-red;  remain- 
der of  neck  and  body  in  front  of  wings,  and 
lower  back,  black;  canvassing  on  back  and 
sides,  dark;  feet,  bluish,  fig.  181.  Female, 
brown  with  canvasing  of  back  showing 
faintly.  Breeds  from  northern  Mich,  and 
northern  Me.,  northward;  south,  in  Oct. 
to. winter  from  Mass,  (where  it  is  rare  north 
of  Cape  Cod)  southward  of  Fla. ;  common 
in  the  middle  sections  of  winter  range;  north 
in  April.  Nests,  on  ground;  eggs,  8-12, 
brownish. 

209.  CANVASBACK. 
Differs  from  last  in  having  a  longer 
bill,  higher  at  base,  and  back  much  whiter, 
fig.  182.  Breeds  from  northwestern  states, 
northward,  migration,  winter  range,  and 
nesting  habits  similar  to  last. 

210.     SCAUP. 

Smaller,  19;  speculum,  white;  head, 
neck  and  upper  breast,  black,  the  former 
glossed  with  green  and  violet  ;^back,  sides 


LESSEE    SCAUP.  241 

and  beneath,  appearing  white,  fig.  183. 
Female  with  black  of  male  replaced  with 
brown,  white  space  at  base  of  upper  man- 
dible; bill,  blue;  feet,  black,  fig.  184.  Young 
male  similar  with  intermediate  stages. 
Breeds  from  northern  North  Dacota,  north- 
ward through  northwestern  N.  A.;  south  in 

Fig.  185 


Golden-eye.     1-10. 

Oct.;  north  in  April.  Winters  from  Mass, 
south  to  Ga..  usually  found  on  salt  water, 
often  in  large  close  -flock  or  rafts  and  in 
rising  flies  in  a  close  body.  Nesting  habits 
and  eggs,  similar  to  last. 

211.     LESSER  SCAUP. 
Smaller    than    last,    IT,    head    without 
greenish    gloss.       Breeds    a    little    further. 


242  DUCKS. 

south  and  more  in  the  interior  of  Canada 
away  from  coast;  south  in  Oct.  to  winter 
from  N.  C.  south  to  W.  L,  north  in  April, 

212.     RING-NECKED  DUCK. 
Differs  from  last  in   having  speculum 
gray,  a  distinct  reddish   ring   around  neck, 

Fisj:  186 


Barrow  Goiden-eye.     1-8. 

and  a  black  bill.  Breeding,  winter  range 
and  time  of  migration  similar.  Occurs 
singly  or  in  small  flocks  on  fresh  or  brackish 
waters. 

213.     GOLDEN-EYE. 

Larger,  20;  head,  upper  neck  and  back, 
black;   lower  neck,   under   parts,  and  wing 


BARROW    GOLDEN-EYE.  243 

patch  white;  bill,  black;  feet,  yellow,  fig. 
185.  Female  and  young  male,  black,  re- 
placed by  brown  with  intermediate  stages. 
Breeds  from  northern  U.  S.,  northward  to 
tree  limit;  south  in  Oct.  to  winter  from 
Mass,  to  S.  C.;  north  in  April.  Place  snest 
in  cavity  trees;  eggs,  8-10,  as'hy-green. 

Fig.  187 


Buffle-head.     1-10. 

214.     BARROW  GOLDEN-EYE. 

Differs  from  last  in  having  bill  higher 
at  base  and  the  white  spot  at  its  base  more 
triangular,  fig,  186.  Breeds  from  northern 
U.S.  northward;  uncommon  in  northern  U. 
S.  in  winter;  south  in  Oct.;  north  in  April. 
Nesting  habits  and  eggs  similar  to  last. 


244 


SQUAWS. 


215.     BUFFLE-HEAD. 

Small,  14;  feathers  of  head  elongated; 
head  and  back,  black;  triangular  patch, 
back  of  eye,  broad  line  through  wing  and 
beneath,  white;  fig.  187.  Female,  brown 
above,  white  below;  white  patch  on  wing 
and  a  small  one  back  of  eye  and  below  it. 

Fig.  188  Fig.  189 


Harlequin.     1-15.  Old  Squaw.     1-15. 

Breeds  chiefly  north  of  the  U.  S.;  south  in 
Oct.  to  winter  from  Mass,  to  Fla.;  north  in 
March. 

216.     OLD  SQUAW. 

18,  neck  short;  central  tail  feathers 
elongated  and  narrow;  summer,  head,  neck, 
breast,  upper  parts  and  middle  tail,  black ; 
sides  of  head  and  body,  ashy;  patch  behind 


SQUAWS. 


245 


eye,  longitudinal  streak  on  side  of  occiput, 
under  parts  and  side  of  tail,  white;  bill, 
black;  feet,  bluish.  Winter  differs  in  having 
head,  neck,  upper  breast  and  back,  white; 
patch  of  brown  on  side  of  head  below  one 
of  ashy,  fig.  189.  Female  differs  in  lacking 
long  central  tail  feathers;  head  and  neck, 


Fig.  191 


Fig.  190 


Northern  Eider.     1-3. 


American  Eider.     1-3. 


dusky  with  whitish  patch  around  eye  and 
on  neck  behind.  Breeds  in  the  Arctic, 
south  in  Oct.,  wintering  from  coast  of  N.  E. 
to  S.  C.;  north  in  late  April.  Frequents 
bays  along  coast  in  close  flocks  from  a  few 
pairs  to  hundreds.  In  feeding  all  of  the 
flock  are  apt  to  dive  at  one  time  and  reappear 
simultaneously;  sometimes  rise  in  air  a-nd-by 


246  DUCKS. 

circling  about  to  a  considerable  hight.  Cries 
musical  and  frequently  given  both  when  on 
the  water  and  in  flight,  they  are:  Er-lit  ali- 
er-lit,  varied  by  Ah-ah  oh-er-lit.  Nests 
placed  on  ground;  eggs,  7-1^,  ashy. 

217.     LABRADOR  DUCK. 

Shorter,    19;    head,    breast    and    large 
wing  patch,white;  top  of  head,  collar,  around 

Fig.  192 


King  Eider.     ]-3. 

neck  and  body,  black;  bill,  black,  orange  at 
base;  feet,  bluish.  Female,  ash-brown;  wing- 
coverts  and  secondaries,  white.  Former 
breeding  range,  north  of  the  U.  S.;  in  winter 
as  far  south  as  N.  J.  Now  extinct;  last 
specimen  captured  was  at  Grand  Menan,  N. 


DUCKS.  247 

B.,   in   1871,   but   I   saw  one  living  in  the 
mouth  of  Ipswich  River  in  1872. 

218.     HARLEQUIN  DUCK. 

Smaller,  17,  appearing  black;  triangle 
in  front  of  eye.  spot  on  back  of  head,  two 
crescents  on  sides,  and  markings  on  back, 
white,  fig.  188.  Female,  ash-brown;  face 

'Fig.  193 


Scoter.     1-3. 

and  spot  on  sides  of  occiput,  white.  Breeds 
in  N.  A.  from  Newfoundland  northward 
chiefly  in  interior,  placing  nests  in  holes  of 
trees,  stumps,  etc.;  eggs.  6-8,  pale-brown. 
Winters,  from  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence  to  N. 
J.,  but  uncommon  from  Mass,  southward. 
South  in  Nov.;  north  in  Feb. 


248  EIDERS. 

219.     AMERICAN  EIDER. 

Large,  25;  head,  neck  and  above,  white; 
forehead,  line  through  eye  and  beneath, 
black;  portion  of  head,  pale  green;  naked 
space  at  base  of  bill,  white,  fig.  190.  Female, 
reddish-brown,  transversely  banded  with 
dark-brown.  Breeds  of  Atlantic  coast  from 

Fig.  194  Fig.  195 


Surf  Scoter.     1.10.  White  winged  Scoter,     1.10. 

Me.  to  Labrador,  south  in  late  Oct.  to  winter 
from  Mass,  to  Del.;  on  coast  of  Mass,  keeps 
well  out  to  sea  feeding  about  remote  islands. 

220.     NORTHERN  EIDER. 
Differs  from  last  in  having  naked  space 
at  base  of  bill  narrow,  fig.  191.     Breeds  in 
north-eastern  N.   A.  and   Greenland,   south 
m  winter  to  Mass. 


DUCKS.  249 

221.  KING  EIDER. 
Size  of  last,  differs  from  it  in  having 
base  of  bill  considerably  swollen  and  naked 
process  widened;  black  of  head  reduced  to  a 
narrow  line  about  process  and  there  is  a  V 
of  black  on  throat,  fig.  192.  Female  differs 
in  having  swollen  process  at  base  of  bill. 

Fig.  196 


Ruddy  Duck.     1-2. 

Breeds  in  the  Arctic,  south  in  winter  as  Jar 
as  northern  N.  E.  and  rarely  to  Ga. 

222.     STELLER  DUCK. 

Smaller,  15;  greater  portion  of  head, 
patch  on  wing  and  breast,  white,  remainder 
of  plumage  appearing  black.  Female,  head, 
neck  and  breast,  brown  the  last  barred  and 
spotted  with  black;  head  and  neck,  light 


250  GEESE. 

brown;  elsewhere  appearing  black.  Breeds 
on  Arctic  coast  of  Siberia;  winters  on  coast 
of  Alaska.  Accidental  in  Greenland  and 

Quebec. 

223.     SCOTER. 

19;  base  of  bill,  slightly  swollen    and 
orange;    wholly    black,    fig.    193.     Female, 

Fie.  197 


Masked  Duck.     1-2. 

brown  whitish  on  sides  of  head.  Breeds  in 
Labrador  and  northward;  south  in  Oct.  to 
winter  from  N.  E.  to  Fla. ;  north  in  April. 

224.     WHITE-WINGED  SCOTER. 

Larger,  21;  base  of  bill,  swollen;  black 
with  small  spot  beneath  eye  and  patch  on 
wing,  white,  fig.  195.  Female,  differs  from 
last  in  having  white  patch  on  wing.  Breeds 


DUCKS.  251 

north  of  U.  S.  in  Canada;  winters,  from  N. 
E.  to  S.  C.;  time  of  migration  as  in  last. 
Nests  placed  on  ground;  eggs,  5-8,  pale 
brown. 

225.     VELVET  SCOTER. 

So  similar  the  last  as  to  be  indistin- 
guishible  in  field.  Northern  Old  World, 
accidental  in  Greenland. 

Fig.  198 


Blue  Goose.     1-6. 

226.     SURF  SCOTER. 

Bill  considerably  swollen  at  base  and 
brightly  colored.  Black,  with  spot  on  front 
of  head  and  another  on  occiput  white,  fig. 
194.  Female,  brown  with  light  spot  at 
base  of  bill  and  on  side  of  head.  Breedins; 


252  DUCKS. 

range  and  migration  similar  to  last..  In 
swimming  all  Scoters  frequently  hold  tail 
upright,  as  does  the  Ruddy  Duck.  They 
often  associate  together  in  great  flocks; 
when  a  small  number  are  together  they  fly 
in  line  one  behind  the  other  close  to  the 
water,  but  when  in  large  flocks  will  some- 
Fig.  199 


Lesser  Snow  Goose.     1-J8. 

times  fly  higher  and  in  a  more  confused 
manner;  all  are  apt  to  fly  into  the  months 
of  estuaries  at  low  tide  to  feed  upon  mussels. 

227.     RUDDY  DUCK. 

Smaller,    15;    neck    and    upper    parts, 
chestnut.     Top  of  head,  black,  spot  on  its 


DUCKS.  253 

side,  white;  beneath,  grayish;  bill  and  feet, 
bluish,  fig.  196.  Female  and  winter  male, 
chestnut  replaced  by  reddish-brown;  throat, 
lighter.  Breeds  locally  throughout  N.  A. 
south  to  Guatemala;  south  in  Oct.  to  winter 
from  N.  C.  to  the  W.  I.;  north  in  April. 
Occurs  singly  or  in  small  flocks  on  both 

Fig.  200 


American  White-fronted  Goose.     1-4. 

fresh  and  salt  water,  but  seldom  on  the 
ocean,  often  in  small  ponds  and  pools.  Very 
unsuspicous.  Often  holds  tail  erect  when 
swimming.  Dives  well.  When  startled  flies 
swiftly,  but  is  apt  to  circle  and  return  to  the 
place  from  which  it  started.  Nests  placed 
on  ground;  eggs,  6-10,  dull  white. 


254  GEESE. 

228.  MASKED  DUCK. 
Smaller,  13;  front  of  head,  black;  body, 
reddish  brown,  lighter  beneath;  white  wing 
patch,  fig.  197.  Female,  duller;  top  of  head 
and  two  stripes  on  its  side,  black.  Tropical 
America,  accidental  in  Wis.  N.  Y.  and  Mass. 

Fig.  201 


Canada  Goose.     1-4. 

GEESE. 

Large  with  long  necks,  quite  long  legs 
well  fitted  for  walking.  Bill,  short  and  high 
at  base.  Sexes,  similar;  nests  on  ground; 
eggs,  6-10,  dirty  white  or  yellowish. 

229.     BLUE  GOOSE. 
Large,  28;  appearing  brown;  head  and 
neck,  white,  fig.  198.    Young,  dark  all  over. 
%  Breeds  on  eastern  shore  of  Hudson  Bay;  goes 


GEESE.  255 

south  through  interior  to  winter  on  coast  of 
Gulf  of  Mexico,  west  of  La.;  rare  on  Atlantic 
coast. 

230.     LESSER  SNOW  GOOSE. 

Smaller,  25;  white;  primaries,  black, 
fig.  199.  Young,  appearing  dark  brown. 
Breeds  in  Alaska,  south  in  Oct.  and  Nov.  to 


202 


Barnacle  Goose.     1-4. 

winter  to  southern  111.  and  southern  CaL; 
casual  in  N.  E.  Flight  and  cries  much  as 
in  Brant. 

231.     GREATER  SNOW  GOOSE. 

Differs  from  above  in  being  larger,  35. 
Breeds  on  eastern  coast  of  Hudson  Bay; 
south  in  winter,  very  rarely  to  N.  E.  and 
southward  as  far  as  Cuba.  Rare  in  U.  S. 


256  GEESE. 

232.     AMERICAN  WHITE-FRONTED 
GOOSE. 

Smaller,  30;  gray  above,  forehead  and 
beneath  white  mottled  with  black  on  breast, 
fig.  200.  Breeds  far  north  in  N.  A.;  goes 

Fig.  203 


Brant.     1-4 

south  in  Oct.  to  winter  in  the  south  west; 
north  in  March;  rare  in  Atlantic  coast. 

233.     WHITE-FRONTED  GOOSE. 

Smaller,  with  a  considerably  smaller 
bill.  Northern  parts  of  Eastern  Hemisphere; 
accidental  in  Greenland. 


GEESE.  257 

235.     CANADA  GOOSE. 

Larger,  40;  brown  above  and  on  head 
and  neck;  patch  on  cheeks  usually  meeting 
on  throat,  and  beneath  white;  head  and  neck, 
black,  fig.  201.  Breeds  in  northern  U.  S. 
and  Canada;  south  in  Nov.  to  winter  from 
Md.  to  Fla.  and  Mex.;  north  in  March. 
Flight  rather  rapid  but  with  slow  wing- 
beats;  moves  in  lines  or  Vs  but  never  masses 
in  front.  Cries  loud  and  sonorous. 

The  Canada  Goose  is  frequently  domes- 
ticated and  breeds  readily  if  kept  in  suffi- 
ciently large  enclosures.  In  order  to  keep 
it  from  migrating,  however,  after  the  first 
year  one  wing  should  be  clipped.  It  asso- 
ciates with  the  common  domesticated  Geese 
and  the  ganders  sometimes  take  charge  of 
their  young,  but  it  does  not  appear  to  hy- 
bredize  with  other  geese.  The  cries,  given 
continuously  in  flight,  as  a  call  to  keep 
members  of  the  flock  to  straggling;  are 
also  uttered  when  the  birds  are  on  the 
ground. 


258 


Fulvous  Tree  Duck. 


GEESE.  259 

236.     HUTCHINGS  GOOSE. 

Much  smaller  than  last,  32;  otherwise 
similar.  Breeds  in  Arctic  N.  A.;  south  in 
Oct.  through  western  U.  S.  and  Mississippi 
Valley  to  winter  from  Kansas  southward; 
north  in  March. 

237.  CACKLING  GOOSE. 

Smaller,  24;  distinct  white  collar  on 
lower  neck;  nearly  as  dark  below  as  above. 
Breeds  on  northern  Pacific  coast;  south  in 
winter  into  western  U.  S.;  rarely  east  to 

Wis. 

238.  BARNACLE  GOOSE. 

26;  fore  part  of  head  and  beneath,  white- 
back  of  head,  neck  and  breast,  black,  fig.  202. 
Northern  parts  of  Old  World;  casual  in 
eastern  N.  A. 

239.     BRANT. 

25;  no  while  on  head,  but  streaked 
with  it  in  patch  on  side  of  neck;  gray  above; 
white  beneath,  fig.  203.  Breeds  in  Arctic, 
in  N.  A.,  chiefly  on  Atlantic  coast;  south  in 


260  FLAMINGOES 

Oct.  and  Nov.  to  winter  in  southern  U.  S.; 
north  in  April,  occurs  chiefly  on  coast  over 

Fig.  205 


Flamingo.     1-16. 

9 

the  sea  seldom  crossing  land.  Flight,  swift; 
wing-beats,  rather  rapid;  moves  in  lines, 
but  frequently  breaks  into  irregulur  masses 


SWAXS.  261 

in  front.    Cries  more  shrill  and  less  sonorous 
than  in  Canada  Goose. 

240.     BLACK  BRANT. 

Differs  from  last  in  having  white  of 
neck  clear  and  meeting  beneath.  Breeds 
in  Arctic  N.  A.;  south  through  West  to 
winter  as  far  as  lower  Cal.;  casual  on 
Atlantic  coast. 

Fi<?.  206 


Bobwhite.  J*.      1-10. 

241.     FULVOUS  TREE  DUCK. 

21;  head  neck  and  beneath  light  cinna- 
mon; back  and  bill,  black;  fig.  204. 

SWANS. 

Large    birds    with    neck    longer    than 
body;  swim  with  ease  and  have  power  of 


262  SWANS. 

elevating  the  enlarged  secondaries  as  sails; 
fly  with  great  swiftness,  when  migrating 
moving  high  in  air  often  in  V-shaped  flocks; 
cries,  loud  and  harsh.  Nests  on  ground, 
eggs,  3-5. 

242.     WHOOPING  SWAN. 

60;  white,  basal  portion  of  bill,  including 
nostrils,  yellow.  Northern  Eastern  Hemis- 
phere; occasional  in  southern  Greenland. 

243.  WHISTLEING  SWAN. 

A  little  smaller  than  last,  and  has  only 
a  small  spot  of  yellow  at  base  of  bill.  Breeds 
far  north,  winters  from  Md.  to  Gulf  of  Mex.; 
very  rare  on  Atlantic  coast,  north  of  Md. 

244.  TRUMPETER  SWAN. 

Larger,  65;  bill  wholly  black.  Breeds 
in  interior  of  N.  A.  from  Iowa  northward; 
casual  on  Atlantic  coast. 

FLAMINGOES. 

Large  birds  with  long  necks  and  legs, 
with  feet  and  bill  abruptly  bent  in  middle. 


FLAMINGOES  263 

Frequent  islands  and  sea  coasts  in   tropics 
or  sub-tropics. 

245.     AMERICAN  FLAMINGO. 
Large,  45;  scarlet;  primaries,  black,  fig. 
205.     Breeds  from  Bahamas  south  through 

Fig.  207 


Bobwhite,  young. 

Atlantic  coast  of  tropical  America.  Flight, 
rapid  with  rather  slow  wing-beats  and  with 
outstretched  neck  and  legs.  Nests  built  of 
marl  piled  in  form  of  truncated  pyramid. 


264  LAND    BIRDS. 

Eggs,  1  or  more  rarely  2,  greenish  but 
covered  with  chalky  incrustation.  Food, 
small  mollusks.  Cries,  sonorous  and  goose- 
like. 

LAND  BIRDS. 

Birds  which   live   on   land  and  which, 
with  a  few  exceptions,  do  not  procure  their 

Fig.  208 


Canada  Grouse.     1-12. 

food  from  water.  While  the  young  of  most 
of  the  species  are  hatched  naked  and  help- 
less, a  few,  as  in  the  first  group  given,  are 
covered  with  down  and  are  active  as  soon 
as  they  leave  the  egg.  Not  migratory. 


GROUSE,  QUAIL,  ETC.  265 

GROUSE,    QUAIL,    ETC. 

Of  varying  sizes;  young  active  when 
hatched,  covered  with  down  and  capable  of 
feeding  themselves.  All  species  run  rapidly, 
often  hiding  when  alarmed  to  rise  suddenly 
with  a  whirl  of  wings  when  approached 
closely.  Nests,  placed  on  ground;  eggs, 
many.  Flight,  rapid,  direct  with  very  quick 
wing-breast. 

246.     BOB  WHITE. 

Small,  10,  chestnut-brown  above;  throat, 
line  over  eye  and  beneath,  white;  streaked 
on  upper  breast  and  sides  with  chestnut; 
patch  on  side  of  neck  extending  to  bill, 
black,  fig.  206.  Female  has  throat  buff. 
Downy  young,  buff  streaked  with  dark- 
brown,  fig.  207;  unable  to  fly  until  well 
grown.  Notes,  Bob-white  or  More-wet',  some- 
times, No  more-wet,  also  a  chuckling  when 
disturbed,  and  a  call  when  the  bevy  is 
separated.  Eastern  U.  S.  from  southern 
Me.  to  Fla.  Eggs,  white. 


266  GROUSE  . 

247.     FLORIDA  BOBWHITE. 
Smaller,  darker,  with  black  of  breast 
considerably  extended.     Florida. 

248.     CANADA  GROUSE. 

Larger,  15,  black,  blotched  and  banded 
below  with  white;  terminal  band  on   tail, 

Fig.  209 


Ruffed  Grouse.     1-12. 

chestnut,  fig.  208.  Female,  duller  with 
much  of  black  replaced  by  chestnut,  espe- 
cially on  breast.  Young,  much  more  red- 
dish. Canada,  east  of  Rocky  Mountains 
south  to  northern  Minn.,  Mich.,  N.  Y.  and 
N.  E.  Very  unsuspicious  birds  inhabiting 
coniferous  forests. 


GROUSE    .  267 

249.     RUFFED  GROUSE. 

Larger,  18;  tail  long  and.  when  spread, 
fan-like;  reddish  brown  above  banded  and 
mottled  with  darker;  white  below  marked 
with  brown  especially  on  breast;  tail  with 
subterminal  band  of  black,  fig.  209.  Female, 
duller  with  a  smaller  tail.  Downy  young, 
reddish  buff  lined,  mottled,  and  spotted  with 
brown,  fig.  210;  can  fly  when  about  a  week 
old.  Eastern  U.  S.  south  along  the  moun- 
tains to  northern  Ga.  Frequents  bushy 
woodlands.  Note,  a  whistling  chuckle  when 
alarmed.  Drums  in  spring,  summer  and 
autumn;  this  begins  loud  and  distinct,  in- 
creases in  rapidity,  but  diminishes  in  volume 
until  it  dies  away. 
250.  CANADIAN  RUFFED  GROUSE. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  grayer,  espe- 
cially on  tail.     Spruce  forests  of  northern 
N.  E.,  northern  N.  Y.,  north  to  James  Bay. 
251.     THAYER  RUFFED  GROUSE. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  darker  above 
and  in  having  the  under  parts  more  heavily 


268 


GROUSE. 


Fig, 210 


Ruft'eri  Grouse,  young. 


PTAKMIGANS.  269 

banded.       Nova   Scotia,    and   possibly    also 
New  Brunswick.   Habits,  etc.,  similar  to  last. 

252.     WILLOW  PTARMIGAN. 

15;  winter,  white;  tail,  black,  fig.  211. 

Summer,  reddish-brown  spotted  and  banded 

with  black;  greater  portion  of  wing,  middle 

under  parts,  and  feet  white,  fig.  212.    Arctic 

Fig.  211 


Willow  Ptarmigan,  winter.     1-8. 

and  Sub-arctic,  in  N.  A.  south  to  Sitka  and 
British  Provinces,  accidental  Me.  and  Mass. 

253.     ALLEN  PTARMIGAN. 

Similar  to  last,  primaries  more  or  less 
mottled  with  dusky.     Newfoundland. 

254.     ROCK  PTARMIGAN. 
Scarcely  different  from  253   in  winter; 
in  summer,  grayer  above  and  more  coarsely 


270  PTARMIGANS. 

banded  with  black  above,  markings  below 
darker. 

255.  REINHARDT  PTARMIGAN. 
Differs  from  last  in  summer  in  being 
even  more  coarsely  banded  above  where  the 
black  predominates.  Greenland,  western 
shores  of  Cumberland  Gulf,  and  northern 
Labrador. 

Fig.  212 


Willow  Ptarmigan,  summer.     1-8. 

256.    WELCH  PTARMIGAN. 
Differs  from  Allen  Ptarmigan  in  being 
much   darker  above  in   summer  and  with 
more  dark  bandings  elsewhere.     Newfound- 

257.     PRAIRIE  HEN. 

Large,    18;    head,    crested,    elongated 
plumes  on  neck;  light  brown  above,  white 


GROUSE    .  271 

beneath,  banded  with  black,  fig.  213.  Prairies 
of  Mich,  and  Westward. 

258.     HEATH  HEN. 
Differs    from    last    in    having    brown 
bandings  broaded  and  feathers  of  neck  tufts 
pointed.     Martha's  Vineyard,  Mass. 

Fig.  213 


Prairie  Hen.     1-8. 

259.     PRAIRIE  SHARP-TAILED 
GROUSE. 

Differs  from  above  in  absence  of  neck 
tufts  and  in  having  large  rounded  white 
markings  on  wings,  and  in  being  tinged 
with  rusty  above;  white  beneath  with  V 
shaped  marks  of  black.  Great  Plains  of  U.  S. 
east  to  Wis.  and  northern  111. 


272  PIGEONS. 

PIGEONS. 

Birds  of  varying  size,  long  wings  and 
well-developed  tails;  bills  weak.  Flight, 
rapid,  direct,  with  quick  wing-beats.  Stick- 
built  nests  often  placed  in  trees  in  our 
species,  but  sometimes  on  ground;  eggs,  2, 
white.  Young  hatched  naked  and  very 
helpless  fed  by  regurgitation.  Food,  vege- 
table substances. 

260.     WHITE-CROWNED  PIGEON. 

About  the  size  of  domestic  pigeon,  13; 
dark  slate-blue;  top  of  head,  white.  Baha- 
mas and  some  of  West  Indias;  rather  un- 
common on  Fla.  Keys.  Notes,  given  in 
minor  key,  wof,  wof  wo,  co-woo,  the  first 
three  repeated  several  times,  the  last  long 
drawn  out.  Social,  occurring  in  flocks  and 
breeding  in  communities. 

261.     PASSENGER  PIGEON. 

Large,  16.50;  tail,  long  and  pointed; 
upper  parts,  sides,  neck  and  head,  ash-blue; 
beneath,  purplish-red,  under  tail  coverts 


DOVES.  27H 

and  tip  of  tail,  white;  sides  and  back  of 
neck,  irridescent.  Formerly  ranged  through 
eastern  N.  A.  from  Hudson  Bay  southward, 
now  probably  extinct. 

Fig.  214 


Passenger  Pigeon.     1-8. 

262.     MOURNING  DOVE. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  smaller,  12, 
more  brownish-red  and  in  having  tail  more 
broadly  tipped  with  white  and  crossed  by 
a  black  band  above  this,  fig.  215.  N.  A. 
from  southern  Me.  and  Canada  south  to 
Panama;  not  common  in  the  Bahamas;  local 


274  DOVES. 

in  distribution.     Social  when  not  breeding. 
Note,  a  mournful  double  coo. 

263.     ZANAIDA  DOVE. 

Tail  not  pointed,  but  short  and  rounded, 
yellow-brown,   a  narrow   white  wing-band, 

Fig.  215 


Mourning  Dove. 

small  black  spot  on  neck  where  there  is  an 
irridiscent  patch.  Common  on  Bahamas 
and  in  some  of  the  West  Indias,  rare  on  the 
Fla.  Keys.  Not  social,  lives  mostly  on 
ground.  Coo  of  two  notes,  the  first  uttered 
with  a  falling  inflection,  the  second  fol- 


DOVES.  275 

lows  quickly,  but  is  not  prolonged,  then 
comes,  who,  who,  who,  with  a  decided  pause 
between  the  first  two,  all  are  loud,  but  in  a 
minor  key. 

264.     GROUND  DOVE. 
Small,  7,  slate-brown  above,  under  por- 
tion of  win  or,  seen  in  flight,  chestnut,  purple- 
Fig.  216 


Ground  Dove. 

red  on  breast;  bill,  orange,  black  at  tip, 
fig.  216.  Female,  duller.  South  Atlantic 
and  Gulf  States.  Note,  who,  often  repeated 
in  a  minor  tone.  Ordinary  flight,  especially 
in  thickets,  which  it  frequents,  flitting,  but 
when  passing  over  wider  spaces  more  direct 
and  rapid. 

265.     BAHAMA  GROUND  DOVE. 

A  little  smaller  than  last,   paler;   bill, 
nearly  black.     Bahamas;  accidental  in  Fla. 


276  DOVES. 

266.     KEY  WEST  QUAIL  DOVE. 

11;  dull  chestnut,  purplish  red  beneath 
glossy  above  with  metallic  purple  and 
bronze;  broad  white  stripe  on  side  of  jaw. 
Bahamas  and  some  of  the  W.  I. ;  casual  in 
summer  on  Pla.  Keys.  Keeps  hidden  in 
scrub  most  of  time.  Nests  placed  on  top  of 
air  plants,  in  trees. 

267.     RUDDY  QUAIL  DOVE. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  without 
metalic  luster  above  and  the  white  jaw 
stripe  is  less  conspicuous,  being  somewhat 
buffy.  Tropical  America;  accidental  on 
Key  West,  Fla. 

268.  BLUE-HEADED  PARTRIDGE 
DOVE. 

A  little  larger,  12,  dark  brown  above, 
more  reddish  beneath;  head,  black;  crown, 
blue;  line  on  side  of  head  beneath  eye  and 
one  bordering  throat,  white.  Cuba,  casual 
on  Fla.  Keys. 


TURKEYS.  277 

269.     WHITE-WINGED  DOVE. 

A  little  smaller  than  last;  grayish- 
brown,  conspicuous  white  patch  and  bar  on 
wing.  Female,  duller.  Western  U.  S.;  ac- 
cidental on  Key  West,  Fla. 

Fig.  217 


Turkey  Vulture.     1-12. 

TURKEYS. 

Large  birds  with  naked  heads  and  necks 
with  a  tuft  of  black  bristles,  depending  from 
upper  breast;  tail  long  and  fan-like;  tarsus 
furnished  with  a  spur. 

270,    WILD  TURKEY. 

Large,  45;  differs  from  the  dark  form 
of  the  well-known  domestic  Turkey  in 


278  VULTURES. 

having  rather  more  brilliant  irridescent 
tints  and  in  having  pink  feet.  U.  S.,  from 
Chesapeke  Bay  to  Gulf  Coast  and  west  to 
Plains. 

271.     FLORIDA  TURKEY. 

Darker  than  last  with  little  white  on 
wings.     Southern  Fla. 

Fig.  218 


Black  Vulture.     1-12. 

VULTURES. 

Large;  head,  naked;  large  wings  fitted 
for  strong  flight;  feet,  adapted  for  walking, 
but  not  for  grasping;  food,  usually  animal 
matter  found  dead  and  sometimes  partly 
decayed.  Nests  in  hollow  logs,  rock  cavities, 


VULTURES.  279 

etc.  Eggs,  2,  in  our  species  white  mottled 
with  brown.  Young,  covered  with  down 
when  hatched,  but  helpless.  Sexes,  similar. 

The  small  figures  in  circles  are  silhouettes  of  the 
birds  as  seen  in  flight  to  give  the  proportions  of  wings 
and  tail. 

272.  TURKEY  VULTURE. 
Dark-brown;  head,  livid  red;  tail, 
rounded,  fig.  217.  America  from  N.  J.,  the 
Ohio  Valley,  and  Saskatchewan,  southward 
to  Patagonia,  casual  in  N.  E.  Flight,  steady 
with  long,  sweeping  curves,  sailing  most 
of  the  time  without  flapping,  sometimes  at 
a  considerable  height  where  it  moves  in 
wide  circles.  Food,  mainly  freshly  killed 
animals.  Only  vocal  sound,  a  harsh  hiss. 
Social,  gathering  in  large  flocks,  especially 
to  roost  at  night. 

273.     BLACK  VULTURE. 

Black,  including  head;  space  on  wing 
beneath,  showing  in  flight,  white;  tail,  short 
and  square,  fig.  218.  N.  C.  to  Fla.,  north 
to  lower  Ohio  Valley  west  to  Great-Plains, 
south  to  Mex.  and  into  S.  A.,  casual  in  N. 


280 


HAWKS,  EAGLES,   ETC. 


E.  and  N.  Y.  Flight  by  alternate  sailing 
and  flapping  with  rapid  wing-beats;  some- 
times ascends  to  a  considerable  height,  but 
moves  in  comparatively  small  circles.  Food, 

Fig.  220  Fig.  219 


Mississippi  Kite.  J-8. 


Swallow-tailed  Kite.  1-8. 

Rather 


largely    decaying    animal    matter, 
more  social  than  last. 

HAWKS,    EAGLES,    ETC. 

Birds  of  varying  sizes;  bills,  strongly 
curved    and    hooked;    feet,    strong;    claws, 


KITES  281 

Capable  of  grasping.  Young,  covered  with 
down  when  hatched,  helpless  and  fed  by 
parents.  Females,  larger  than  males. 

274.     SWALLOW  TAILED  KITE. 

Large,  22;  form,  slender;  tail,  deeply 
forked;  black  above;  head  and  lower  parts, 
white,  fig.  219.  Breeds  in  U.  S.  from  N.  C. 
and  Minn,  southward,  goes  south  in  Oct.  to  , 
winter  in  S.  A.,  north  in  April;  casual  in 
southern  N.  E.  Flight,  swallow-like,  very 
graceful  and  easy.  Food,  chiefly  snakes  and 
other  reptiles,  which  it  catches  by  swooping 
downward  and,  grasping  them  with  its 
claws,  eats  them  as  at  flies.  Nests  in  trees; 
eggs,  4-6,  green-white  marked  with  brown. 

275.     MISSISSIPPI  KITE. 

Smaller,  14;  head,  neck  and  beneath, 
ashy;  back,  black;  longitudinal  stripe  on 
each  wing  (showing  in  flight),  chestnut; 
white  wing  bar,  fig.  220.  Southern  U.  S. 
from  S.C.  southward;  casual  north  toPenn., 
Wis.  and  la.  Winters  in  Guatemala. 


282  KITES 

276.     WHITE-TAILED  KITE. 
Larger,  16 ;  head,  neck,  tail  and  beneath, 
white;  above  and  central  tail  feathers,  ash- 
gray;  patch  on  bend  of  wing,  black.    Breeds 
Fig.  221      in  southern  U.  S.  from  S.  C.  and 
southern    111.   to    Tex.   and    CaL; 
winters  in  S.  A.;  casual  in  Mich. 

277.    EVERGLADE  KITE. 

A  little  larger,  17 ;  black 
above,  brown  beneath;  base  of 
tail  and  its  coverts,  white;  female, 
duller,  fig.  221.  Breeds  in  Fla., 
Kite.  1-8.  Cuba,  and  southward  into  eastern 
S.  A.  Nests  placed  in  low  bushes,  eggs,  1-2, 
bluish  white  marked  with  brown.  Flies  low 
over  marshes  with  rather  slow  wing-beats 
and  erratic  movements.  Food,  chiefly  fresh- 
water mollusks. 

278.     MARSH  HAWK. 

Larger,  23;  above,  ashy-blue;  upper 
tail-coverts,  white;  white  beneath,  fig.  222. 
Female  and  young,  brown  above,  reddish 


GYRFALCONS  288 

beneath.  Breeds  throughout  N.  A.,  south 
in  early  Nov.  to  winter  from  N.  C.  south  to 
Panama,  rarely  as  far  north  as  Mass.;  north 
in  April.  Nests  placed  in  bushes  in  marshes, 
eggs,  3-5,  white,  slightly  spotted  with 
reddish.  Flies,  low  over  fields  and  marshes, 
moving  with  irregular  flight  and  slow  wing- 
Fig.  222 


Marsh  Hawk. 


beats.   Food,  frogs,  mice,  snakes  and  lizards. 
Common. 

279.     WHITE  GYRFALCON. 

22,  wings  pointed,  white  somewhat 
banded  on  back  with  dusky,  fig.  223.  Young, 
streaked  below  with  black.  Arctic,  wander- 


284  GYRFALCONS 

ing  south  in  winter  to  northern  N.  E.  Nests, 
on  cliffs. 

280.     GRAY  GYRFALCON. 

Size  of  last,  dusky  throughout,  rather 
broadly    streaked  on  head  and  banded  on 

Fig.  228 


White  Gyrfalcon.     1-6. 

tail  and  beneath  with  white.     Arctic,  strag- 
gling southward  in  winter. 

281.  GYRFALCON. 
Differs  from  last  in  being  darker;  light 
bands  much  narrower.  Young,  even  darker. 
Northern  Europe,  Greenland  and  Arctic 
America,  south  to  northern  Labrador,  rare 
in  winter  in  Mass,  and  R.  I. 


HAWKS  285 

282.     BLACK  GYRFALCON. 
Size  of  last,  but  appearing  nearly  black. 
Labrador,  south  in  winter,  rarely  to  Canada, 
Me.,  Mass,  and  N.  Y. 

283.     DUCK  HAWK. 
Form  of  last,   but  smaller,  18;  wings, 
very  pointed;  seeming  black  above,  white 


Duck  Hawk. 


below;  prominent  black  markings  on  side 
of  head;  tail,  banded  with  white,  fig.  224. 
Young,  reddish  beneath.  N.  A.,  breeding 
locally  throughout  U.  S.,  nesting  usually  on 
cliffs;  south  in  Sept.-Oct.  to  winter  in  Fla., 
southward  into  S.  A.  Flight,  swift  with 


286  HAWKS 

rapid  wing-beats,  seldom  sailing.  Captures 
its  prey,  ducks  and  other  birds,  on  the  wing. 
Eggs,  3-4,  creamy  white,  very  thickly  mot- 
tled with  dark-brown.  Not  very  common. 

284.     PIGEON  HAWK. 

Smaller,  11;  form  of   last  but    appear- 
ing  black    above;    white    beneath,   heavily 


Pigeon  Hawk.     1-6. 

streaked  with  dark  brown;  tail,  with  four 
light  bands,  one  of  which  is  at  tip,  fig.  225; 
wings  banded  on  innner  webs  with  white; 
conspicuous  in  flight.  Female  and  young, 
more  reddish  below.  Flight  as  in  last. 
Breeds  from  northern  border  of  U.  S.  north- 


MERLINS  287 

ward;  nests,  on  branches  of  trees  and  in 
holes  of  trees  and  cliffs;  south  in  Sept.  and 
early  Oct.  to  winter  in  the  Bahamas  and 
northward. 

285.     RICHARDSON  MERLIN. 
Differs  from  last  in  having  five  or  six 
light  bands  on  tail  and  both  outer  and  inner 

Fig.  226 


Sparrow  Hawk.     1-4. 

webs    of    primaries    banded     with     white. 
Western  N.  A.  from  Mississippi  River  to  the 

Pacific. 

286.    MERLIN. 

Differs  from  last  in  having  a  large  patch 
of  black  on  cheek.  Old  world,  accidental 
in  Greenland. 


288  HAWKS 

287.  SPARROW  HAWK. 
Smaller,  10;  cinnamon  above,  lighter 
below;  two  oblique  marks  on  side  of  head, 
some  bands  above,  spots  below,  subterminal 
band  on  tail  and  wings,  black;  top  of  head, 
upper  wing  coverts  and  band  on  secondaries, 
ashy-blue;  outer  tail-feather,  throat,  cheek 

Fig-.  227 


Sharp-shinned  Hawk.     1-6. 

and  tip  of  tail,  white,  fig.  226.  Female, 
lighter  below,  banded  above  and  streaked 
below  with  black.  Eastern  N.  A.  south  to 
Ga.;  winters  from  Mass,  southward.  Nest, 
in  holes  of  trees,  cavities  in  cliffs  or  houses; 
eggs,  4-6,  buff  thickly  spotted  with  cinna- 
mon. Cry,  a  rather  shrill  rattle.  Flight, 


HAWKS  289 

rapid  with  quick  wing-beats,  sometimes 
suspends  itself  on  rapidly  vibrating  wings, 
like  a  Belted  Kingfisher;  frequently  jerks 
its  tail  when  perching. 

288.  LITTLE  SPARROW  HAWK. 
Similar  to  last,  but  smaller;  cinnamon 

spot  on  head,  small  or  absent  in  male; 
female,  more  broadly  banded  with  black 
above.  Gulf  States,  resident. 

289.  CUBAN  SPARROW  HAWK. 
Differs  from  last  in  being  nearly  slaty - 

gray  above;  beneath,  deep  rusty.     Female, 

rusty  above  and  below.    Cuba;  casual  in  Fla. 

290.     KESTREL. 

Differs  from  Sparrow  Hawk  in  being 
larger  and  in  having  blue  of  head  extending 
over  a  portion  of  upper  parts,  and  in  being 
conspicuously  streaked  below.  Europe;  ac- 
cidental in  Mass. 

291.     PRAIRIE  FALCON. 

Large,  18;  brown  above;  band  on  back 
of  head  and  beneath,  white,  heavily  streaked 
with  brown.  Western  U.  S.;  casual  in  111. 


290  HAWKS 

292.     SHARP-SHINNED  HAWK. 

Small,  11;  wing,  short;  tail,  long, 
square;  legs,  long  slender;  bi*own  above, 
pale  reddish  beneath;  four  black  bands  on 
tail,  fig.  227.  Young,  streaked  beneath. 
Flies  with  alternate  flappings  and  sailing; 
seldom  circles  in  air.  Readily  flies  through 
foliage  in  pursuit  of  small  birds.  Breeds 

Fig.  228 


Cooper  Hank.     Silhouette. 

throughout  N.  A.  south  to  Panama;  winters 
from  Mass,  south wrad,  south  in  Oct. ;  north 
in  April.  Nests,  in  trees;  eggs,  4,  blue- 
white,  spotted.  Cries,  a  series  of  short 
rather  shrill  screams. 

293.     COOPER  HAWK. 

Differs  from   last  in  being  larger,  17, 
and  in  having  tail  rounded;  fig.  228.    Cries, 


HAWKS  291 

louder  and  more  whistling.  Range,  times 
of  migration  and  nesting  habits,  similar  to 
last. 

294.     GOSHAWK. 

Larger,  21;  similar  in  form  to  last;  dark 
slate  above,  blue-gray  beneath;  three  bands 
on  tail;  top  of  head  and  head  band  on  its 
side,  black.  Young,  brown  above,  white 
beneath,  streaked  with  black.  Breeds  from 
northern  N.  E.  northward;  goes  south  to 
winter  from  Middle  States  northward;  north 
in  April.  Sometimes  common  in  Mass. 

295.     MEXICAN  GOSHAWK. 

Smaller  than  last,  16;  also  differs  in 
having  upper  tail  coverts  white,  and  tail 
black  with  two  or  three  bands  of  white. 
Young,  tail  banded  with  black.  Mexico  and 
southward;  accidental  in  southern  111. 

296.     RED-TAILED  HAWK. 

Larger,  20;  wings,  longer;  tail,  long  in 
proportion  to  wings,  but  somewhat  rounded; 
legs,  stout;  brown  above;  tail,  cinnamon, 


292  HAWKS 

with  a  subterrninal  band  of  black;  white 
beneath  with  a  band  of  heavy  black  streak- 
ings  across  middle  of  body,  fig.  229.  Young, 
with  tail  paler  and  with  several  black  bands 
(twelve  or  more).  Breeds  throughout  eastern 
N.  A.,  north  to  Labrador.  Note,  a  wheezy 

Fig.  229 


Ked-tailed  Hawk.     1-10. 

scream,  often  given  as  the  bird  circles  high 
in  air.  Nests  in  trees,  eggs,  4,  white  spotted. 

297.     KRIDER  HAWK. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  lighter  above; 

no  terminal  band  on  tail,  and  lacks  band  of 

spots  beneath.    Plains  of  U.  S.,  from  Dakota 

and  Wyoming  to  Minn.,  and  111.  south  to  Tex. 


HAWKS  293 

298.     WESTERN  RED-TAIL. 

Differs  from  Red-tail  in  being  darker 
above  with  sometimes  three  bands  on  tail, 
more  rufous  beneath.  Western  N.  A.  from 
Rockies  to  Pacific;  casual  in  111. 

299.     HARLAND  HAWK. 

Size  of  last;  seeming  black  above, 
varying  from  black  below  to  white,  but,  if 
white,  then  streaked  across  breast  and  on 
sides  with  black.  Young,  tail  banded  with 
lighter.  Breeds  in  the  Gulf  States  and 
lower  Mississippi  Valley;  occasionally  north 
to  Penn.  and  la. 

300.     EUROPEAN  BUZZARD. 

Similar  to  Red-shouldered  Hawk,  but 
tail  with  from  10  to  13  narrow  black  bands. 
Europe,  accidental  in  Mich. 

301.    RED-SHOULDERED  HAWK. 

Smaller  than  Red-tailed,  21;  tail  shorter 
in  proportion  to  spead  of  wings;  appearing 
black  above;  wings  with  many  white  bands, 


294  HAWKS 

tail  with  four;  fig.  230;  white  beneath, 
banded  with  reddish.  Young,  streaked  with 
black  beneath;  tail  with  many  white  bands. 
Breeds  throughout  eastern  N.  A.  from  Fla. 
to  Nova  Scotia;  winters  from  Mass,  south- 
ward, south  in  Oct.;  north  in  April.  Note, 

Fig.  230 


Red-shouldered  Hawk.     1-10. 

a  loud  high  ke-arr  repeated  several  times 
with  the  last  syllable  prolonged.  Breeding 
habits  much  like  Red-tail. 

302.     FLORIDA  RED-SHOULDERED. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  smaller  and 
darker.     South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States. 


HAWKS  295 

303.     SWAINSON  HAWK. 

Differs  from  Red-shouldered  in  having 
tail  tipped  with  white;  there  is  a  dark  phase 
in  which  the  under  parts  are  dark  brown 
and  intermediates  occur  between  this  and 
light  phase.'  Young,  ash-red  beneath  thickly 
marked  with  drop-shaped  streakings,  espe- 
cially across  breast.  Western  N.  A.,  east  to 
111.;  casual  to  Mass,  and  Me. 

304.  BROAD-WINGED  HAWK. 
Smaller  than  Red-shouldered,  15,  there 

are  two  white  bars  only  on  tail.  Young, 
has  throat  whiter.  Breeds  throughout  N.  A. 
from  Fla.  to  New  Brunswick;  south  in  Oct. 
to  winter  from  Va.  to  northern  S.  A.;  north 
in  April.  Note,  a  squeaking  whistle. 

305.  SHORT-TAILED  HAWK. 

A  little  larger,  16;  dark  brown  above, 
white  beneath;  seven  ashy  bands  on  tail; 
reddish  on  sides  of  breast.  Young,  streaked 
beneath;  red  of  breast  absent.  A  dark 
phase  has  breast  dark  brown;  forehead  al- 
ways white.  S.  A.  north  to  Fla. 


296  HAWKS 

306.     ROUGH-LEGGED  HAWK. 
Large,  21,  six  to  eight  white  tail  bands; 
white  beneath,  band  of  spots  on  breast  and 
Fig  231      broad    band   on   abdomen,   black, 
fig.  231.      Then    is    also  a  black 
phase  with  intermediates,  but  the 
basal  three-fourths  of  tail,  seen 
from     below,    is     always    white. 
Breeds  throughout    N.  A.   north 
of  the  U.  S.;  winters  from  N.  E. 
south  to  N.  C.  from  Nov.  to  April. 
Legs    very    short   and   thus    the 
ie°gged       bird    sits    low.       Flight,    heavy 
Hawk.  1-8.   yyftfa  siow  wing-beats. 

,  307.     FERRUGINOUS  HAWK. 

Size  of  last;  differs  in  being  more 
reddish  above;  beneath,  white  unmarked; 
tail,  nearly  white;  from  this  varies  into  a 
nearly  black  phase.  Western  N.  A.  west 
to  the  plains;  casual  in  111. 

308.     GOLDEN  EAGLE. 

Large,  35;  dark-brown  throughout; 
bill,  brown;  feet,  yellow;  tarsus  feathered  to 


EAGLES  297 

toes,  fig.  232.  Young  with  basal  two-thirds 
of  tail  white.  N.  A.  south  to  Mex.  Breeds 
chiefly  on  unsettled  mountaneous  districts; 
nest,  usually  on  cliffs;  eggs,  2,  white  spotted 
with  brown. 

Fig.  232 


Golden  Eagle.     1-12. 

309.     BALD  EAGLE. 

Size  of  last,  differs  in  having  head, 
neck  and  tail  white;  tarsus,  naked;  bill  and 
feet,  yellow,  fig.  233.  Young,  dark-brown 
throughout.  U.  S.  breeding  in  unsettled 
districts;  nests  in  trees  or  on  cliffs;  eggs,  2, 
white,  unspotted.  Cries,  harsh  and  loud, 
alarm  note,  a  cackling  cry.  Ordinary  fight, 
strong  and  direct  with  slow  wing-beats. 


298  EAGLES 

Frequently  robs  the  Osprey  of  fish,  when  it 
moves  with  a  rapid  flight  with  quickened 
wing-beats.  Sometimes  circles  high  in  air. 

310.     NORTHERN  BALD  EAGLE. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  larger.     N. 
A.  north  of  the  U.  S. 

Fig.  233 


Bald  Eagle.    1.16. 

311.     GRAY  SEA  EAGLE. 
Differs  from  last  in  having  the  head 
always  brown.    Northern  Europe,  Asia  and 
Greenland. 

312.     OSPREY. 

23;  wings,  very  long;  tail,  short;  black 
above,  white  beneath;  line  through  eye  and 


EAGLES  299 

band  of  spots  on  breast,  black,  fig.  234. 
Breeds  from  Hudson  Bay  to  Fla.  west  to 
Pacific.  Winters  from  N.  C.  to  northern  S.  A.. 
South  in  Oct.,  north  in  April.  Food,  wholly 
fishes.  Flight,  strong,  direct;  wing-beats, 
slow;  often  circles  over  water  and  drops 
into  it  to  secure  prey  which  it  carries  head 

Fig.  234 


Osprey.     1-10. 

forward.  Nests  in  trees,  eggs,  3-5,  creamy 
thickly  spotted  with  red -brown.  Cries, 
shrill,  wrhistling  screams. 

313.     AUDUBON  CARACARA. 

Wings,  tail  and  legs,  long;   23;   dark- 
brown  above;  base  of  tail,  sides  of  head, 


300 


PARROTS 


bands  on  tail  and  beneath,  white,  broad 
band  on  abdomen  and  finer  elsewhere,  black; 
feet,  yellow.  Resident  in  Fla.,  Tex.,  Ariz, 
south  to  northern  S.  A.  Flight,  direct  by 
alternate  flippings  and  sailings  and  will 
sometimes  circle  in  air  like  Vultures.  Chiefly 
terrestrial,  feeding  much  upon  dead  animals, 
fig.  235. 

Fig.  235 


Audubon  Caracara.     1-8. 

PARROTS,      ETC. 

Birds  of  varying  sizes  and  colors,  with 
strong  hooked  beaks. 

314.     FLORIDA  PAROQUET. 

Medium  size,  14;  tail,  long  and  pointed, 
yellow-green;  head  and  neck,  yellow;  fore- 


PARROTS  301 

head,  sides  of  head,  and  inner  webs  of  tail 
feathers,  orange,  fig.  236.  Young,  with 
head  and  neck  green.  Flight,  very  swift 
and  direct,  with  rapid  wing-beats.  Cries, 
harsh  and  loud.  Nests  in  communities. 
Former  range,  throughout  the  Gulf  and 

Fig.  236 


Florida  Paroquet.     1-6. 

south  Atlantic  States.     Now  nearly  extinct, 
perhaps  still  found  in  a  small  section  of  Fla. 

315.     WESTERN  PAROQUET. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  more  blue- 
green  in  color.  Mississippi  Valley  south  to 
northern  La.  Now  wholly  extinct. 


302  OWLS 

OWLS. 

Well  known-birds  of  varying  sizes; 
bills  strong  and  hooked;  chiefly  nocturnal. 
Young,  inactive  when  hatched,  and  covered 
with  whitish  down.  Eggs,  white,  2-7.  Flight, 
direct  with  rather  slow  wing-beats.  Food, 
small  animals,  insects  and  occasionally  fishes. 

Fig.  237 


Barn  Owl.     1-10. 

316.     BAEN  OWL. 

Wings,  very  long;  tail,  short;  17;  pale 
yellow-brown  spotted  with  darker;  iris, 
brown,  fig.  237.  U.  S.,  rare  in  northern 
portion,  resident  from  middle  sections  south- 
ward. 


OWLS  303 

317.     BARRED  OWL. 

Larger,  20;  banded  with  black  and 
white,  transvesely  on  upper  breast,  longi- 
tudinally below  this ;  iris,  brown ;  bill, 
yellow,  fig.  238.  Eastern  U.  S.  from  Gulf 
States  to  Canada.  Frequents  woodlands. 
Nests  in  trees.  Cries,  prolonged  hoots, 

Pig.  238 


Barred  Owl.     1-11. 

woe  woe  wu  woo  followed   by  a   series   of 
wock  wock  wock  wo-o-o. 

315.    FLORIDA  BARRED  OWL. 

Smaller  and  darker  than  last.     South 
Atlantic  and  Gulf  States. 


304  OWLS 

316.     GREAT  GRAY  OWL. 

Larger,  22;  gray,  irregularly  barred 
above  and  streaked  below  with  white;  iris 
and  bill,  yellow,  Arctic  America  straggling 
south  in  winter  as  far  as  N.  J.  and  111. 

Fig.  239 


Long-eared  Owl.     1-10. 

317.     LONG-EARED  OWL. 

Smaller,  15;  wings,  long;  head  with 
prominent  ear  tufts;  dirk-brown  spotted 
and  mottled  with  yellow-white  which  pre- 
dominates below,  fig.  239.  Resident  through- 
out temperate  N.  A.  Occurs  in  thick  swamps. 
Note,  a  single  loud  screech.  Nests  in  trees. 


OWLS  305 

318.     SHORT-EARED  OWL. 

Size  of  last,  differs  in  having  light 
markings  predominating,  fig.  240,  prominent 
dusky  spot  on  under  wing  showing  in  flight. 
Occurs  in  open  sections  commonly  on  sea 
coast  among  low  bushes ;  rises  suddenly 

Fig.  240 


Short-eared  Owl.     1-10. 

when  alarmed  and  flies  with  long,  downward 
wing-beats  moving  with  excentric  flight. 

319.     GREAT  HORNED  OWL. 

Larger,  23,  wings  shorter,  ear  tufts 
long  and  large.  Dark  brown,  mottled, 
barred  and  spotted  with  lighter;  patch 
on  throat  and  upper  breast,  white,  fig. 


306  OWLS 

241.  Eastern  N.  A.  from  Labrador  to  Fla. 
Occurs  in  unsettled  sections  in  heavy  wood- 
lands. Cries,  not  unlike  those  of  the  Barred 
Owl,  but  rather  louder  and  more  deliberately 
given.  Nests  in  trees,  sometimes  in  cavities. 

Fig.  241 


Great  Horned  Owl.     1-12. 

320.     LABRADOK  HORNED  OWL. 

Similar    to    last,    but   with    the    dark 
areas  more  extended.    Labrador,  Newfound- 
land and  south  in  winter  to  Ontario. 
321.     ARCTIC  HORNED  OWL. 
Similar   to   Great   Horned,   but   much 
lighter  the  light  areas  predominating.  North- 
central  Canada,  south  in  winter  to  Wisconsin 
and  northern  111. 


OWLS  307 

322.     SCREECH  OWL. 

Smaller.  9;  reddish  above,  white  beneath, 
streaked  on  back,  barred  on  wings  and  tail, 
barred  and  streaked  beneath,  with  black, 
fig.  242.  Above  form  red  varies  to  gray 
with  markings  grayish  in  tone.  Resident 
in  temperate  eastern  N.  A.  west  to  the 
plains,  south  to  Ga.  Very  common,  but 

Fig.  242 


Screech  Owl. 


unless  at  night,  seldom  seen  on  account  of 
many  passing  the  day  in  holes.  Nests  in 
holes.  Note,  a  shivering  cry  often  repeated. 
Gives  a  croak  of  alarm. 

323.     FLOUDA  SCREECH  OWL. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  smaller  and 
darker.     South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States. 


308  OWLS 

324.     SAW-WHET  OWL. 

Smaller,  8,  red-brown  above;  narrow 
white  lines  on  head  and  face,  and  spots  else- 
where; beneath,  white,  streaked  with  red- 
brown,  three  bars  of  spots  on  tail,  fig.  243. 
Breeds  from  Middle  States  northward.  Not 
common.  Note,  a  rasping  cry. 

Fig.  243 


Saw-whet  Owl.     1-8. 

325.     HAWK  OWL. 

Medium,  15;  tail,  long,  graduated;  wings, 
long;  dark-brown  above;  lined  and  spotted 
with  white;  eight  lines  of  white  spots  on 
tail  and  beneath,  white,  here  transversly 
banded  with  black;  face,  white,  nearly  sur- 
rounded by  black  line;  spot  on  neck,  black, 
fig.  244.  Breeds  from  Newfoundland  north- 


OWLS 


309 


ward,  wandering  south  into  northern  U.  S. 
in  winter.     Rather  diurnal. 


Fig.  244 


Hawk  Owl. 
1-10. 


326.  SNOWY  OWL. 
Large,  22;  white  spotted  and 
barred,  especially  above,  with 
black,  fig.  245;  females,  more 
heavily  banded  than  males.  Note, 
a  whistling  cry.  Northern  por- 
tions of  northern  hemisphere; 
breeds  north  of  U.  S.,  wandering 
south  in  winter  to  Middle  States, 
Nov.  to  April.  Flight,  heavy  and 
Frequents  sand  dunes  on  coast. 


Fig.  245 


direct. 

Kather  diurnal. 

327.  BURROWING  OWL. 
Small,  10;  white,  barred 
and  spotted,  more  heavily 
above,  with  red  -  brown. 
Wings  and  legs,  long;  tail, 
short.  Frequents  open  sec- 
tions. Nests,  in  holes  in 
ground.  Western  U.  S.  from 
Great  Plains  to  Pacific;  ac- 
cidental in  N.  Y.  and  Mass.  snowyOwi. 


310  CUCKOOS. 

CUCKOOS. 

Slender   birds   of   varying    sizes;   tails 
long;  two  toes  in  front  and  two  behind. 

Fig.  246 


Ani. 

328.     ANI. 

Large,  14;  bill,  compressed,  ridge,  ele- 
vated; black,  fig.  246.  Cries  loud,  but  minor 


CUCKOOS.  311 

in  tone.  Flight,  heavy  and  jay-like.  Social 
at  all  times,  several  females  placing  their 
chalky-white  eggs  in  one  nest;  probably 
polygamous. 

Fig.  247 


Yellow-billed  Cuckoo.     1-4. 

329.    YELLOW-BILLED  CUCKOO. 

Smaller,  12;  brown  above,  white  below; 
tail  dark;  outer  feathers  broadly  tipped  with 
white;  wing,  strongly  tinged  with  cinna- 
mon; under  mandible,  yellow;  space  about 
eye  dark,  fig.  247.  Breeds  in  eastern  tem- 
perate N.  A.,  west  to  plains;  winters  in 


312  CUCKOOS. 

Costa  Rica,  south  in  Sept.,  north  in  May. 
Nests  of  sticks  in  bushes;  eggs,  4,  green  un- 
spotted. Notes,  COW-GO,  given  at  intervals. 

330.     MANGROVE  CUCKOO. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  strongly 
tinged  with  reddish  yellow  beneath  and  in 
having  dark  space  about  eye  larger.  Breeds 
in  West  Indies;  rare  on  Fla.  Keys  and  in  La. 

Fig.  248 


Black-billed  Cuckoo. 

331.     MAYNARD  CUCKOO. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  paler  beneath. 
Bahamas,  largely  resident;  rare  on  Fla. 
Keys.  Notes,  om-on-on-on-qua-qua-qua-coo- 
coo-co;  the  first  four  and  last  three  are 
cuckoo-like,  but  the  three  middle  harsh. 

332.     BLACKBALLED  CUCKOO. 

Differs  from  Yellow-bill  in  having  tail 
like  back,  and  narrowly  tipped  with  black 


WOODPECKERS. 


313 


and  white,  fig.  248;  absnce  of  cinnamon  on 
wing  and  black  on  head;  under  mandible 
dark  blue;  eyelids,  red,  fig.  249.  Breeds 
through  eastern  N.  A.  west  to  Rockies,  north 
to  Labrador,  winters  in  S.  A.  Note?,  coocoo- 

Fi£.  249 


Black-billed  Cuckoo. 


Eggs, 


coo-coo,  given  without  interruption, 
dark  blue-green. 

WOOD  PEC  KRS, 
Well-known    birds   with    chisel-shaped 
bills,  large  heads,  long  wings;  tail  feathers 
stiffened  and  pointed;  toes  two  in  front  and 


314  WOODPECKERS. 

two  behind.  Eggs.  6-7,  white,  polished, 
placed  in  holes.  Young,  naked  and  help- 
less. Flight,  heavy  and  undulating,  but 
often  swift.  Drum  on  trees,  etc.,  as  a  roll 
call.  Climb  head  first,  but  back  down. 

Fig.  250 


Yellow-bellied  Sapsutker.     1-6. 

333.    YELLOW-BELLIED  SAPSUCKER, 

Small,  8.50,  longitudinal  white  patch 
on  wing;  male,  with  crown  and  throat, 
crimson,  fig.  250;  female,  throat  white;  both 
much  mottled  above,  yellow  below,  and 
with  black  spot  on  breast;  young  with  black 
spot  on  breast  replaced  by  gray  and  with 
little  red  on  head;  adult  plumage  gradually 


WOODPECKEKS. 


315 


assumed.  Breeds  in  eastern  N.  A.  from 
northern  Mass.,  northward  to  middle  Canada 
and  south  along  the  mountains  to  N.  C. 
Cries  harsh  and  rattling;  gives  the  yucka 
rather  rarely. 

334.  RED-BELLIED  WOODPECKER. 

Larger,  10;  male,  top  of  head  all  scarlet, 
ashy  beneath,  tinged  with  red;  back,  banded 

Fig.  251 


Ked-bellied  Woodpecer.     1-7. 

with  black  and  white;  upper  tail  coverts, 
white,  fig.  251.  Female,  top  of  head,  gray, 
nape  scarlet.  Resident  in  eastern  U.  S. 
from  Pa.  southward;  casual  as  far  north  as 
Mass.  Cries,  oft^n  uttered,  harsh  and  quer- 


316  WOODPECKEKS. 

ulous,  yuckti  note  rarely  given.     Frequents 
open  woodlands. 

335.     RED-HEADED  WOODPECKER. 

Smaller,  9;  colors  in  masses;  head  and 
neck  all  around,  crimson;  band  on  second- 
aries and  rump  and  beneath,  white;  remain- 
Fig.  252 


Red-headed  Woodpecker.     1-6. 

ing  upper  portions,  black,  fig.  252.  Young, 
head,  gray;  white  of  secondaries,  broadly 
banded  with  black.  Sexes,  similar.  Breeds 
in  the  TJ.  S.  west  to  the  Rockies;  local  east 
of  the  Hudson,  usually  migratory  north  of 
Penn.  Very  noisy,  cries  bar&h  and  loud. 


WOODPECKERS.  317 

336.  HAIRY  WOODPECKER. 
10,  black  above,  white  beneath;  on  side 
of  head,  longitudinal  stripe  on  back  trans- 
verse bands  of  spots  on  wings  and  outer 
tail  feathers,  white,  fig.  253;  male,  with  red 
on  nape.  Resident  in  northern  and  middle 

Fig.  253 


Hairy  Woodpecker. 

U.  S.  north  into  southern  Canada,  south  to 
Va.,  cries  sharp  sometimes  rapidly  repeated 
as  a  call.  Gives  yncka  notes. 

337.     NORTHERN  HAIRY  WOOD- 
PECKER. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  larger.  Breeds 
in  northern  N.  A.  north  of  U.  S. 


318  WOODPECKERS. 

338.    NEWFOUNDLAND  WOODPECKER. 
A  little  smaller  than  last  with  much 
less  white  on  back  and  wings,  black  spots 
on  dorsal  stripe.     Newfoundland. 


Downy  Woodpecker.     1-4. 

339.     SOUTHERN  HAIRY  WOOD- 
PECKER. 

Smaller  than  Hairy  a  little  darker. 
South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States,  north  to  Va. 

340.     SOUTHERN  DOWNY  WOOD- 
PECKER. 

Smaller  than  last,  5.50,  bill  proportion- 
ately smaller,  white  of  outer  tail  feathers 
barred  with  spots  of  black;  dusky  beneath. 


WOODPECKEKS.  319 

341.     DOWNY  WOODPECKER. 

Larger  than  last,  white  beneath,  fig. 
254.  Eastern  N.  A.  from  eastern  Va.  and 
mountains  of  Ga.  north  to  Canada. 

Fig.  255 


Red-cockaded  Woodpecker. 

342.    NORTHERN  DOWNY  WOOD- 
PECKER. 

Larger  than  last,  bars  on  tail  narrower. 
Northwestern  N.x  A.,  south  in  winter  to 
Wis.  and  N.  Y. 

343.    RED  COCKADED  WOODPECKER. 

Larger,  8.25;  differs  from  Hairy  Wood- 
pecker in  being  transversly  banded  on  back 


320  WOODPECKEKS. 

with  white,  without  dorsal  stripe,  red  of 
head  in  male  confined  to  a  small  spot  on  its 
on  its  side,  fig.  255.  Southern  N.  S.  from 
Va.  southwards;  casual  in  Penn.  and  N.  Y. 
Frequents  pine  barrens.  Somewhat  social 
and  very  noisy;  cries,  harsh  and  querulous. 

Fig.  256 


Arctic  Three-toed  Woodpecker.     1-6. 

344.     ARCTIC  THREETOED  WOOD- 
PECKER. 

Larger  than  last,  9.50;  toes  three,  black 
above,  winp;s  banded  with  white;  beneath, 
white,  banded  on  sides  with  black.  Male, 
with  top  of  head  yellow,  fig.  256.  Northern 


WOODPECKERS,  321 

N.  A.;  in  winter,  wandering  south  into  north- 
ern U.  S.  as  far  as  N.  E, 

345.     AMERICAN  THREE-TOED 
WOODPECKER. 

Differs  from  last  in  having1  the  entire 
back  banded  with  white,  fig.  257.  Range 
similar  to  last. 

.  257 


American  Three-toed  Woodpecker.     1-0. 

346.     IVORY-BILLED  WOODPECKER. 

Large,  21,  neck  thin;  black;  bill,  second- 
aries, line  extending  on  side  of  neck,  white; 
crest  on  back  of  head,  scarlet;  black  in  fe- 
male, fig.  258.  Former  range  through 
most  of  the  southern  States,  now  restricted 


322  GOATSUCKERS. 

to    a   few    isolated   localities   in    the   lower 
Mississippi  Valley  and  Gulf  States,  chiefly 

Fla. 

347.     PILEATED  WOODPECKER. 

Smaller,  18.50,  black;    throat,  line  on 
side  of  neck,  patch  on  primaries,  basal  half 

Fig.  258 


ivory-billed  Woodpecker.     1-10. 

of  wing  beneath,  showing  in  flight,  white; 
maxillary  patch,  top  of  head  and  crest,  scar- 
let, fig.  259.  Female,  front  of  head  and 
maxillary  patches,  black.  Eastern  U.  S. 
from  northern  Fla.,  southern  Tex.,  north  to 
Md.,  Penn.  and  southern  111. 


WOODPECKEBS,  323 

348.     FLORIDA  P1LEATED  WOOD- 
PECKER. 

Similar  to  last,  but  darker  and  smaller. 
Central  and  southern  Fla. 

Fig.  259 


Pileated  Woodpecker.     1-9. 

349.     NORTHERN  PILEATED  WOOD- 
PECKER. 

Similar  to  Pileated,  but  larger  and  lighter. 
Northern  eastern  N.  A.  from  West  Va., 
western  Penn.,  north  into  Canada.  All  of 
the  Pileated  Woodpeckers  frequent  heavy 
forests  in  the  wilder  sections.  Notes,  not 


324  FLICKERS. 

unlike  those  of  the  flicker,  but  are  louder. 
Roll-call  also  similar  but  with  more  volume. 

350.     FLICKER. 

Smaller,  12;  bill,  curved,  white  spot  on 
rump,  conspicuous  in  flight;  brown  above, 
banded  with  black;  ash-red  beneath,  rnaxil- 

Fig.  260 


Flicker.     1-6. 

lary  patch,  crescent  on  breast,  and  round 
spots  beneath,  black;  tail  and  wings  beneath, 
golden-yellow;  scarlet  patch  on  back  of 
head,  fig.  260.  Female,  without  black  max- 
illary patch.  Eastern  U.  S.  from  Fla.  north 
to  N.  C.  and  southern  Va.,  Ind.  and  TIL 
Cries,  varied;  a  whistling  scream,  an  in- 


FLICKERS.  325 

terrupted  call,  and  in  spring  a  series  of 
yucca  notes.  Subsists  chiefly  on  ants  in 
summer. 

351.     NORTHERN  FLICKER, 

Similar  to  last,  but  larger.     Northern 
and  Central  U.  S.,  east  of  Rockies,  south  to 

Fig.  261 


Chuck-Will's  Widow.     1-4. 

Va.  and  southern  111.,  north  to  northern  N. 
E.     In  winter  to  Gulf  Coast  and  Tex. 

352.     BOREAL  FLICKER. 

Larger  than  last.  From  Labrador, 
north  to  limit  of  tree  growth,  north  west  to 
Alaska. 


326  GOATSUCKERS. 

GOATSUCKERS. 

Long-winged  birds  with  small  bills, 
wide  gape,  large  eyes,  small  feet;  colors 
dull  and  inconspicuous,  when  perching  on 
trees  sit  longitudinally.  Food,  insects. 

Fig.  262 


Whip-poor-will.     1-4. 

253.     CHUCK-WILL'S  WIDOW. 

Large,  13,  mixed  reddish  brown  and 
black;  yellow-red  crescent  on  throat;  patch 
on  three  outher  tail  feathers,  buff  below 
white  above,  fig.  261.  Female,  lacks  the 
crescent  on  throat  and  white  on  tail.  Breeds 
from  Va.  southward  through  South  Atlantic 
and  Gulf  States,  winters  in  Cuba,  eastern 


WOODPECKEKS,  327 

Mexico,  south  to  Central  America;  south  in 
Sept.,  north  in  March;  rare  in  Bahamas; 
accidental  in  Mass.  Note.  chuck-wilVs-widow 
rapidly  given,  sometimes  also  a  series  of 
chuckling  sounds.  Found  in  woodlands  by 
day.  often  flies  about  dwelings  at  night. 
Flight,  erratic  and  flitting. 

Fig.  263 


Nighthawk.     1-5. 

354.     WHIP-POOR-WILL. 

Smaller,  10,  darker  than  last,  white 
crescent  on  throat  and  patch  on  outer  tail 
feathers  white  on  both  surfaces,  fig.  262; 
female,  without  crescent  on  throat.  Breeds 
throughout  eastern  N.  A.  from  N.  C.  north 


328  NIGHTHAWKS. 

to  Canada,  west  to  Plains.    Note,  whip-poor- 
will,    given    very    rapidly    and    repeatedly, 
also   a  chuckling   sound.     Found   in   wood- 
lands by  day.     Flight,  similar  to  last. 
355.     NIGHTHAWK. 

Size  of  last,  gray  above,  banded  with 
white  and  black  beneath;  large  spot  on 
primaries,  crescent  on  throat  and  band  of 
spots  on  tail,  white,  fig.  263.  Female,  lacks 
white  on  tail  and  crescent  is  indistinct. 
Breeds  throughout  eastern  N.  A.  from  north- 
ern Fla.  to  Labrador;  winters  in  S.  A.; 
south  in  Sept.,  north  in  May.  Eggs  placed 
in  gravely  spots,  sometimes  on  gravelled 
roofs  of  buildings.  Note,  a  shrill,  rasping 
cry  repeated  when  the  bird  is  darting  zig- 
zag high  in  air  and  a  booming  sound  as  the 
bird  descends  from  this  height  to  a  point 
near  the  ground  when  he  turns  to  ascend. 
Often  flies  in  the  day  time  and  regularly  in 
the  evening,  not  by  night. 

356.     FLORIDA  NIGHTHAWK. 

Smaller  and  darker  than  last.  Fla.  to 
Tex.;  winters  in  S.  A. 


SWIFTS.  321) 

357.     HOWELL  NIGHTHAWK. 

Similar  to  last,  but  lighter  above  and 
more  reddish.  Western  U.  S..  casual  in  111. 

SWIFTS. 

Compact  birds  with  short  bills,  long 
primaries,  but  other  parts  of  wing  short- 
ened. Flight  swift.  Fijr.  264 

358.     CHIMNEi7  SWIFT. 

Small,  5;  spindle-shaped,  tail 
short  and  spiny  at  tip;  appearing 
black,  fig.  264.  Young  naked  and 
helpless  when  hatched.  Nests  of 
sticks  fastened  together  with  glue 
secreted  by  the  mouth  of  the  bird, 
(sticks  gathered  when  bird  is  on 
the  wing)  placed  usually  in  china-  Swift, 
neys  or  occasionally  in  hollow  trees,  caves, 
etc.  Eggs,  4,  white.  Flight  swift,  con- 
tinuous by  a  rapid  alternate  quivering  move- 
ment of  wing  tips  and  sailing.  Food, 
insects.  Cries,  a  shrill  chatter,  always  given 
in  flight,  never  when  in  the  chimnev. 


33U  HUMMINGBIRDS. 

HUMMINGBIRDS. 

Small  birds  with  wings  similar  to  last, 
but  differ  in  having  an  awl-like  bill.  Nests 
made  of  fine  material  covered  with  lichens; 
eggs,  2,  white.  Young,  naked  and  help- 
less. Flight,  swift  and  darting;  wing-beats 
exceedingly  rapid.  Food,  sweet  nectar  of 
flowers  and  insects.  Found  only  in  America. 

359.     RUBY-THROATED  HUMMING- 
BIRD. 

Small,  3.50;  tail  forked  in  male,  rounded 
in  female;  green  above,  white  below,  male 
with  throat  metalic  ruby;  female  with  tail 
white  tipped,  fig.  265.  Breeds  throughout 
eastern  N.  A.  from  Labrador  to  Fla.  Winters 
from  Fla.  to  Mex.  Has  a  weak  chirping  cry. 

KINGFISHERS. 

Of  varying  sizes.  Bills  and  wings,  long; 
tails,  short;  feet,  small.  Food,  usually  fishes. 

360.     BELTED  KINGFISHER. 

12.  head  crested;  bluish  above,  white 
beneath;  male  with  a  single  band  of  bluish 


33] 


V 


332  HUMMINGBIRDS. 

on  breast,,  fig.  266;  female,  with  an  ad- 
ditional one  of  red-brown.  Breeds  through- 
out N.  A.  from  southern  border  of  U.  S. 
north  to  Arctic  Ocean;  winters  from  Middle 
States,  occasionally  from  Mass..  south  to 
Panama;  south  in  Oct.,  north  in  April. 

Fig.  260 


Belted  Kingfisher.     1-10. 

Nests,  in  holes  in  perpendicular  banks;  eggs, 
6,  white.  Note,  a  harsh  rattle.  Flight, 
direct,  often  slow  and  rather  jerky,  but 
sometimes  swift  and  darting.  Poses  in  air 
when  fishing  and  drops  into  water  to 
secure  prey. 


HUMMINNGBIKDS. 


333 


SONGLESS    PERCHERS. 

Small  birds  inhabiting  temperate  and 
tropical  regions  which  are  not  capable  of 
producing  greatly  varied  songs.  Young, 

Fig.  267 


Scissor-lailed  Flycatcher.     1-4. 

naked  and  helpless.  All  of  our  species  are  fly- 
catchers, taking  insects  chiefly  on  the  wing. 

361.     FORK-TAILED  FLYCATCHER. 

Long,  12;  tail,  very   long  and  forked; 
ashy  above,  white  beneath;  top  and   sides 


334  KINGBIRDS. 

of  head,  black;  crown  patch,  yellow.     S.  A. 
north  to  Mex.;  accidental  in  U.S.  east  to  N.  J. 

362.    SCISSOR-TA1LED  FLYCATCHER. 

Differs  from  last  in  having  portion  of 
tail,  under  wing  coverts  and  hind  parts 
beneath,  rosy,  fig.  267.  South-western 

Fig. 


Kingbird.     1-4. 

States,  casual  in  Fla.;  accidental  in  N.  J.? 
Md.,  Va.,  111.,  N.  E.  and  Canada. 

363.     KINGBIRD. 

Shorter,  8.40;  black  above,  white  be- 
neath and  on  tip  of  tail,  fig.  268.  Crown 
patch,  orange,  but  rarely  seen.  Breeds 


HUMMINXGB1RDS.  335 

throughout  eastern  N.  A.  Winters  from 
Mex.  to  S.  A.,  south  in  Sept.,  north  in  early 
May.  Nests  in  trees  and  bushes,  often  uses 
everlasting;  eggs,  4,  creamy,  spotted  with 
brown.  Cries,  shrill  and  loud,  sometimes 
darts  about  in  air,  especially  in  evening 


Gray  Kingbird.     1-4. 

uttering  a  shrill  twittering;  flight,  direct, 
with  rapid,  downward  wing-beats.  Fre- 
quents open  sections  and  perches  much, 
often  low,  launching  out  after  insects. 

364.     GRAY  KINGBIRD. 
Differs  from  last  in  being  larger,  9.50, 
tail    somewhat    forked,   lighter    above,   no 


336  KINGBIRDS. 

white  on  tail  tip,  fig.  269,  1-4.  Bahamas, 
West  Indies,  coast  of  Fla.,  Ga.,  and  S.  C. 
Winters  in  S.  A.?  north  in  April.  More 
noisy  than  last  with  harsher  cries. 

Fig.  270 


Crested  Flycatcher.     1-4. 

365.     ARKANSAS  KINGBIRD. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  bright  yellow 
beneath,  throat  ashy,  lighter  above.  Western 
U.  S. ;  accidental  in  Md.,  N.  J.,  Mass,  and  Me. 

366.     CRESTED  FLYCATCHER. 

A  little  smaller.  9,  feathers  of  head 
elongated;  back,  green;  throat,  ashy;  else- 
where beneath,  yellow;  inner  webs  of  wings 


FLYCATCHERS.  337 

i 

and  tail,  cinnamon,  fig.  270.  Breeds  through 
eastern  U.  S.  north  into  southern  Canada, 
south  in  Sept.,  north  in  May.  Nests  in 
holes  of  trees,  and  always  uses  the  cast  off 
skin  of  snake  among  other  material ; 'cries, 
surprised  whistles,  followed  by  a  series  of 

Fig.  271 


Phoebe.     1-4. 

chatters,  all  loud.  Frequents  open  wood- 
lands and  orchards.  Of  local  distribution  in 
N.  E. 

367.     PHOEBE. 

Smaller,  7.;  brown  above,  yellow-white 
beneath,  fig.  271;  more  so  in  winter;  bill, 
wholly  black.  Breeds  throughout  eastern 


338  FLYCATCHERS. 

N.  A.  from  S.  C.  north  to  Me.  and  southern 
Canada.  Winters  from  N.  C.  to  Fla. ;  south 
in  Oct.,  north  in  April.  Moves  tail  up  and 
down  and  switches  it  immediately  after 
alighting.  Note,  phee-bee  quickly  and  rather 
harshly  given  with  accent  on  first  syllable, 

Fig.  272 


Wood  Pewee.     1-4. 

sometimes  the  note  is  prolonged  and  then 
becomes  more  musical;  occasionally  it  is 
used  as  a  flight  song  given  in  spring  when 
it  is  quickly  repeated  with  some  variation; 
heard  from  spring  to  late  in  fall.  Nests 
placed  in  shelter  of  out  buildings,  bridges, 
rocks,  banks,  etc.,  composed  of  moss,  grass, 


FLYCATCHERS.  339 

etc.,    mixed    with    mud;    eggs,    4-5,    white, 
occasionally  dotted  with  reddish. 

368.     SAY  PHOEBE. 
A   little   larger   than  last,  paler  above 
and  ash-red  beneath.     Western  U.  S.,  acci- 
dental on  Cape  Cod,  Mass. 

Fig.  273 


Olive-sided  Flycatcher.     1-4. 

369.  WOOD  PEWEE. 
Smaller,  6.50;  darker  above,  white 
beneath,  prominent  white  wing  bands; 
under  mandible,  yellow,  fig.  272.  Breeds 
throughout  eastern  N.  A.  from  Fla.  to  New- 
foundland; south  in  Oct.  to  winter  in 
Central  America;  north  in  May.  Notes, 


340  FLYCATCHERS. 

pee-wee  or  pe-e-wee  given  in  a  sweet,  long 
drawn  resigned  tone.  Frequents  open  wood- 
lands and  groves,  sometimes  in  villages. 
Nests  of  grass,  etc.,  covered  with  lichens, 
saddled  on  a  limb  of  a  high  tree.  Eggs,  3, 
creamy  blotched  with  brown. 

370.     OLIVE-SIDED  FLYCATCHER. 

Larger,  7.50;  more  robust,  a  band  across 
breast,  olive,  a  patch  of  white  on  sides  of 
rump  (only  occasionally  seen),  under  mandi- 
ble yellow,  fig.  273.  Notes,  rather  con- 
tinuously given,  much  like  those  of  a  young 
Robin,  but  louder  and  more  minor.  Fre- 
quents open  spots  near  woodlands,  and 
often  perches  on  dead  trees.  Breeds  in 
moutainous  parts  of  U.  S.  from  northern  N. 
E.,  occasionally  from  Mass,  north  into 
Canada.  Nests,  of  sticks,  placed  in  trees; 
eggs,  4,  similar  to  last. 

371.     LEAST  FLYCATCHER. 

Smaller,  5.50,  brownish-olive  above; 
yellow-white  beneath ;  two  wing-bands  and 


FLYCATCHERS.  341 

eye-ring,  white;  under  mandible,  dark,  fig. 
274.  Breeds  in  eastern  N.  A.  from  Penn. 
and  N.  J.  northward  into  Canada;  winters 
in  Central  America,  south  in  Sept..  north 
in  May.  Alarm  note  a  short  pewit,  song 
notes,  chebec,  given  with  great  energy  and 

Fig.  274 


Least  Flycatcher.     1-4. 

repeated  constantly  as  the  bird  throws  its 
head  up  and  jerks  all  over;  also  gives  a  low 
twitter  while  wings  are  slightly  raised  and 
fluttered.  Frequents  orchards  and  low 
open  growths;  nests  in  trees  of  hempen- 
fibers;  eggs,  4,  white,  usually  unspotted. 


342  FLYCATCHERS. 

372.  TRAIL  FLYCATCHER. 

A  little  larger  than  last;  eye-ring  pale- 
yellow;  under  mandible,  yellow.  Western 
N.  A.  from  Mississippi  Valley  east  into 
Ohio,  111.  and  Mich. 

373.  ALDER  FLYCATCHER. 

Darker  than  last.  Breeds  in  eastern 
N.  A.  from  Me.,  rarely  from  Mass.,  north- 
ward. Nests  of  sticks  often  placed  in 
alders;  eggs,  creamy  spotted  with  red-brown. 
Notes,  ke-wick,  often  repeated,  but  rather 
more  slowly  and  harshly  than  in  the  Least 
Flycatcher.  Frequents  low  growths  in 
swampy  land,  often  alders. 

374.     GREEN-CRESTED  FLYCATCHER. 

Larger  than  Alder,  green  above  and 
lighter  beneath  with  less  olive  on  sides. 
Eastern  N.  A.  north  to  southern  N.  Y.  and 
southern  Mich.,  rare  as  far  north  as  southern 
Mass.;  winters  in  Central  America,  south 
in  Sept.,  north  in  late  May.  Notes,  se-wink 
emphatically  given,  sometimes  followed  by 


FLYCATCHERS.  343 

a  series  of  chuckling  notes  made  with  flut- 
tering wings;  frequents  low  growths  in 
wooded  glens.  Nests  of  sticks,  lichens,  and 
moss,  placed  in  bushes,  usually  a  witch  hazel; 
e.egs,  4,  creamy,  spotted  and  blotched  with 
red-brown. 

375.     YELLOW-BELLIED  FLY- 
CATCHER. 

Smaller  than  last,  yellow-green  above; 
pale  greenish  yellow  on  wing-bands,  eye- 
ring  and  beneath.  Breeds  from  northern 
U.  S.  northward  to  southern  Labrador;  win- 
ters in  Mexico  and  Central  America;  south 
in  Sept.,  north  in  late  May.  Occurs  in 
alder  and  other  thickets,  keeps  low  among 
the  foliage,  not  very  active.  Note  a  low 
peea  rather  plaintive  and  long  drawn,  fre- 
quently given;  then,  less  often,  a  gravely 
rendered  foil-lick.  Nests  on  ground  in 
shelter  of  upturned  roots  of  fallen  trees  or 
in  a  bunch  of  moss;  eggs,  4-5,  white,  dotted 
with  pale  reddish. 

While  all  of  these  four  species  of  Fly- 


344  FLYCATCHERS. 

catchers  are  not  difficult  to  recognize  in 
spring  when  they  are  giving  their  notes,  in 
autumn  when  they  are  silent  it  is  extremely 
hard  to  identify  them,  especially  as  all  are 
then  in  more  obscure  dress,  when  the  char- 
acteristic markings  are  quite  alike.  It  is 
well  also  to  remember  that  all  migrate  al- 
most as  soon  as  the  young  are  able  to  do  so. 
and  consequently  none  of  the  species  would 
be  apt  to  have  time  to  wander  north  of 
their  usual  habits  in  autumn. 

376.     VERMILLION  FLYCATCHER. 

Small,  6;  head  and  beneath,  scarlet 
vermillion;  brown  above.  Female,  dull 
white  beneath,  tinged  with  orange  poster- 
ally.  South-western  U.  S.  One  taken  in 
Tallahassee,  Fla.,  March  25,  1901. 

SINGING    PERCHERS. 

Usually  small  birds  capable  of  pro- 
ducing varied  and  more  or  less  musical 
sounds.  Young  hatched  naked  and  helpless. 


LARKS.  345 

Larks. 

Wings,  long;  secondaries,  short;  colors, 
dull. 

377.     SKY  LARK. 

7.50;  brown  above  and  streaked  with 
lighter,  white  beneath  reddish  on  breast 
and  sides  where  streaked;  outer  tail  feather 
white. 

Europe,  accidental  in  Greenland  and 
Bermuda.  Celebrated  in  song  and  story. 

378.  HORNED  LARK. 
Size  of  last,  7.50;  pinkish-brown  above, 
white  below;  forehead,  line  over  eye,  and 
throat,  black  markings  about  head  as  in 
fig.  275;  outer  portion  of  tail  showing  white. 
Breeds  in  north-eastern  N.  A..  Greenland, 
and  northern  parts  of  Old  World;  south  in 
Oct.  to  winter,  especially  along  coast  from 
N.  E.  to  Middle  States,  less  commonly  to 
S.  C. ;  north  in  April.  Nests  on  ground;  eggs 
4-5,  gray-white  spotted  with  yellow-brown. 
Song  given  when  soaring  in  air.  Spend  most 
of  time  on  ground,  where  they  run  about 


346 


LARKS. 


very  actively,  squat  for  concealment,  rise 
when  alarmed  and  move  with  a  flitting 
erratic  flight;  gregarious.  Give  a  shrill 
double  note  when  on  the  wing. 

378.     PRAIRIE  HORNED  LARK. 
A    little    smaller    than   last  and   much 
paler    above,   nearly    white    about   head,  at 

Fi£.  275 


Homed  Lark. 

best  faintly  yellow.  Young,  mottled  black 
and  buff.  Breeds  in  Mass,  quite  to  coast, 
N.  H.,  Vt.,  N.  Y.  and  west  to  Mississippi 
Valley.  Rare  in  Mass,  in  winter;  south  in 
Oct.  as  far  as  S.  C.;  north  in  April. 


MAGPIES    AND    JAYS.  347 

379.     HOYT  HORNED  LARK. 

A  little  paler  than  Horned  Lark;  yellow 
of  throat  confined  to  middle  line;  over  eye 
white.  Breeds  in  British  America  from 
west  shore  of  Hudson  Bay  to  Arctic  coast; 
south  in  winter  to  Mich.,  Kan.,  Utah  and 
Nev.;  casually  to  Ohio  and  N.  Y. 

Fig.  276 


American  Magpie.     1-10. 

Magpies  and  Jays. 

Large  birds  with  bright  colors;  wings 
short  and  rounded;  tails  long,  often  rounded. 
Cries,  harsh,  seldom  musical.  Intelligent 
and  active,  somewhat  gregarious,  not  migra- 
tory. Flight,  heavy  and  direct.  Nests  in 


348  MAGPIES    AND    JAYS. 

trees   of  sticks;    eggs,  4-5,  gray  or   bluish, 
mottled  with  darker. 

380.     AMERICAN  MAGPIE. 
Large,  20,  iridescent  black;  scapularies, 
inner    webs    of    secondaries    and    abdomen, 
white,  fig.  276;  northern  and  western  N.  A.; 
casual  east  to  Mich,  and  northern  111. 

Fig.  277 


Blue  Jay.     1-6. 

381.     BLUE  JAY. 

Smaller,  12;  head  crested,  blue  above, 
white  beneath,  black  and  white  markings 
on  wings;  tail,  and  about  head  as  in  fig.  277. 
Eastern  N.  A.  from  Fla.  northward  to 
Canada.  Abundant  in  woodlands  and  about 


MAGPIES    AND    JAYS. 


349 


dwellings.     With  the  harsh  and  well-known 
varied  cries  has  a  low  song  given  in  spring. 

382.     FLORIDA  BLUE  JAY. 

A  little   smaller  than  last,  and  duller 
blue  above.     Fla.  and  Gulf  coast,  to  Tex. 

Fig.  278 


Florida  Jay.     1-6. 

383.     FLORIDA  JAY. 

Size  of  last,  tail  proportionately  longer; 
no  crest;  dull  blue  above;  band  of  darker 
streakings  on  breast,  fig.  278.  Scrub  lands 
of  Fla.  Gregarious;  not  shy.  Cries  and 
general  habits,  very  jay-like. 


350  MAGPIES    AND    JAYS. 

384.     CANADA  JAY. 

Size  of  last,  tail  rounded;  gray,  darker 
on  hind  head;  yellowish  on  top  of  head  and 
hind  neck,  fig.  279.  Frequents  heavily 
wooded  sections  from  northern  Mich.,  north 

Fig.  279 


Canada  Jay.     1-8. 

to    Arctic    America.       Very    unsuspicious. 
Cries,  varied  but  jay-like. 

385.     LABRADOR  JAY. 

Differs  from  last  in  having  black  of  top 
and  sides  of  head  more  extended  forward. 
Coast  of  Labrador  and  Newfoundland. 


TITMICE.  351 

Titmice. 

Small  birds  resembling  Jays  in  form. 
Nests  in  holes  of  trees;  eggs,  6-7,  white 
spotted  with  reddish.  Food,  chiefly  small 
insects  and  their  eggs.  Plumage,  usually 
long  and  fluffy. 

Fig.  280 


Black-capped  Chickadee.     1-3. 

386.     BLACK-CAPPED  CHICKADEE. 

Small,  5.60,  gray  above;  white  beneath 
crown  and  throat,  black;  sides,  reddish, 
especially  in  winter,  figs.  280-281.  Eastern 
N.  A.,  north  of  Potomac  and  Ohio  Valley. 
Note,  chick-a-dee-dee-dee,  given  with  energy, 
a  short  squeaking  chip  when  disturbed  and 


352 


.TITMICE. 


other  low  conversational  notes,  a  long 
drawn  cee~dee  (given  at  all  seasons,  and 
often  mistaken  for  the  notes  of  the  Phoebe), 
and  a  low,  silvery  song  seldom  heard.  Flight, 
wavering  and  unsteady.  Nests,  often  placed 
in  hole  of  decaying  birches. 

Fig.  281 


Black-capped  Chickadee. 


CAROLINA  CHICAKDEE. 

Smaller  than  last  with  line  of  demark- 
ation  between  black  and  white  of  breast 
more  sharply  defined,  fig.  282.  Southern 
States  from  N.  Y.  southward.  Sings  silvery 
song  more  often  than  last. 


CHICKADEES.  353 

388.     FLORIDA  CHICKADEE. 
Smaller    and   darker    than   last.     Lake 
Ashby  region  Fla. 

389.     HUD'SONIAN  CHICKADEE. 
Differs  from  Chickadee  in  having  black 
on  throat    only  and  in  being  more  rufous 

Fisr.  282 


Carolina  Chickadee. 

on  sides  and  above,  fig.  283.     Northern  N. 
A.  from  shore   of  Hudson  Bay    northward. 

390.     ACADIAN  CHICKADEE. 

Similar  to  last,  but  smaller  and  browner 
above.  South-eastern  British  Provinces 
and  extreme  north-eastern  U.  S.,  Me.  moun- 
tains of  N.  H.j  Vt.,  and  N.  Y.,  wandering 
south  in  winter  to  southern  N.  E. 


354  CHICKADEES. 

391.     TOWNSEND  CHICKADEE. 

Similar  to  last,  but  much  darker  above 
and  with  no  rufous  on  sides  below,  dis- 
covered in  the  summer  of  1915  by  Dr.  Chas. 
W.  Townsend  in  the  wooded  section  of 
Labrador.  Described  in  the  Auk  for  Jan. 
1916. 

Fig.  288 


Acadian  Chickadee. 

392.  TUFTED  TITMOUSE. 
Larger,  6.00;  gray  above,  white  be- 
neath; forehead,  black;  sides,  reddish,  fig. 
284.  Eastern  U.  S.  from  southern  N.  J. 
southward,  casual  as  far  north  as  southern 
N.  E.  Notes,  similar  to  those  of  Chickadee, 
but  harsher  and  louder;  song,  similar. 


CEOWS.  355 

CROWS. 

Large  birds;  wings,  long,  folding -nearly 
to  tip  of  tail.  All  of  our  species  are  black. 
Cries,  harsh.  Nest,  placed  in  trees  or  on 
cliffs;  eggs.  3-6,  grayish  spotted  with  darker. 
Flight,  strong  and  direct. 

Fig.  284 


Tufted  Titmouse. 

393.     AMERICAN  CROW. 

Medium,  20.  N.  A.,  excepting  Fla., 
fig.  285.  Notes,  caw,  repeated  several  times, 
more  rapidly  when  alarmed;  a  series  of 
croaks  given  quickly,  and  various  guttural 
sounds;  some  individuals,  at  least,  have  quite 
a  musical  but  low  song;  gregarious  in  winter. 


356  RAVI:NS. 

394.  FISH  CROW. 
Smaller,  16.  Atlantic  and  Gulf  coasts 
from  Conn,  to  La.;  casual  as  far  north  as 
Mass.  Notes,  ha-ha  and  some  guttural  cries. 
Flight,  rather  more  rapid  than  last  with 
quicker  wing-beats.  Highly  gregarious. 

Fig.  285 


Crow.     1-10. 

This  species  in  common  with  last  gathers  in 
large  numbers  at  night  to  roost  in  some 
chosen  swamp  or  woodland. 

395.     NORTHERN  RAVEN. 

Large,  24.  Northern  N.  A.,  south  to  S. 
C.  in  unsettled  and  mountainous  districts. 
Note,  a  harsh  croak.  Flight,  heavy;  sails 
much.  Nests,  often  on  cliffs. 


ORIOLES.  357 

396.     STARLING. 

Medium,  8;  wings,  long;  tail,  short, 
black,  streaked  and  spotted  with  buff,  fig. 
286.  Europe,  now  introduced  into  eastern 
and  middle  States,  where  it  is  coriimon. 
Notes,  various,  whistles,  chucklings  and 

Fig.  280 


Starling.     1-4. 

guttural  sounds.  Flight,  not  unlike  that  of 
Meadow  Lark.  Feeds  much  on  ground. 
Nests,  chiefly  in-  holes. 

ORIOLES. 

Variable  in  size  and  color;  bill  pointed. 
Eggs,  usually  bluish,  lined  with  black. 


358  MEADOW    LARKS. 

397.     MEADOW  LARK. 
Medium,  10.50;  wings,  long;  tail,  short, 
brown  above,  streaked  with   black;  yellow 
beneath,  black  crescent  on  breast;  outer  tail 
feathers;  white,  fig.  287.    Eastern  U.  S.  from 
Canada  to  Fla. ;   winters,  from  Mass.  south- 
Fig.  287 


Meadow  Lark.     1-5. 

ward;  south  in  Oct..  north  in  March.  Call 
song,  you  can't  see  me\  rather  high  and  pro- 
longed; a  sharp  chatter  when  alarmed;  a 
song,  clearely  heard,  often,  possibly  always, 
given  on  the  wing,  consisting  of  a  sweet, 
continuous  warble.  Flight  direct,  wing- 
beats  rapid  with  wings  held  low,  sometimes 


BLACKBIKDS.  359 

sails.      Frequents    open    fields.      Nests   on 
grounds;  eggs  white,  brown  spotted. 

398.     FLORIDA  MEADOW  LARK. 

Smaller  than  last,  darker  above  and 
more  yellow  below.  Fla.  and  Gulf  coast  to 
La.  Call  song,  shorter  and  not  as  loud 
as  in  last,  see  me  here,  rather  plaintively 
given.  Occurs  in  open  savannas  and  pine 
woodvs. 

399.  WESTERN  MEADOW  LARK. 

Differs  from  Meadow  Lark  in  being 
much  paler.  Western  U.  S.  east  to  111.  Sings 
true  song  while  setting  and  when  flying. 

400.  RED-WINGED  BLACKBIRD. 

Smaller,  9;  black  with  red  patch  on 
wing,  bordered  below  with  buff.  Female, 
smaller,  streaked  with  brown  and  buff. 
Young  male,  like  female,  gradually  assuming 
male  dress,  fig.  288.  N.  A.  from  Great 
Slave  Lake  to  Fla.;  winters  from  N.  C.  south- 
ward; south  in  Oct.,  north  in  March.  Fre- 
quents open  marshy  sections;  gregarious. 


360  BLACKBIRDS. 

Nests,  placed  in  bushes  or  on  tursocks. 
Notes,  a  sharp  chuck,  a  squealing  cry,  a 
chatter,  given  by  both  sexes,  and  the  oker- 
ree  song  of  male.  Males  and  females  do 
not  associate,  excepting  to  breed.  Flight 
not  direct,  but  erratic. 

Fig.  288 


Red-winged  Blackbird. 

401.  FLORIDA  RED-WING. 
Differs  from  last  in  being  smaller,  buff 

margin  on  wing  deeper;  female,  with  rather 
more  pinkish  on  throat.  Fla.  and  Gulf 
coast  to  Tex.  Song,  shorter,  like  cre-e-e. 

402.  BAHAMA  RED-WING. 

Bill,   longer    than    last;    female,  much 
paler.    Many  of  the  Bahama  Islands;  casual 


BLACKBIKDS.  361 

in  southern  Fla.  on  the  Keys  (Ridgway). 
The  song  is  considerably  more  shrill 
than  that  of  our  Red-wing  and  the  alarm 
note  is  sharper  or  more  squeeky.  Fre- 
quents mangroves  and  sometimes  scrub 
lands. 

Fig.  289 


Baltimore  Oriole.     1-3. 

403.     NORTHERN  REDWING. 

Considerably  larger  than  Fla.  Redwing 
but  like  it  in  coloration,  excepting  female, 
which  is  much  paler.  Breeds  in  interior  of 
British  America,  south  in  winter  to  Minn., 
la.,  western  111.,  northern  Ky. 


362  OKIOLES. 

404.     TROPICAL. 

9.50;  black  patch  on  wing,  broad  collar 
on  hind  neck,  upper  back,  and  beneath 
behind  chest,  orange;  patch  and  stripings 
on  wing,  white.  Northern  S.  A.  introduced 
into  Jamaica  and  other  West  Indies;  acci- 
dental at  Charleston,  S.  C.  (Audubon). 
Songs,  a  series  of  loud  clear  whistles. 

Fig.  290 


Orchard  Oriole.     1-3. 

405.  BALTIMORE  ORIOLE. 
Smaller,  7.70;  orange;  head,  upper 
breast,  back,  wings,  and  band  on  tail,  black, 
bar  and  streakings  on  wings,  white,  fig. 
289.  Female  and  young  duller  without 
black  on  tail.  Breeds  in  eastern  N.  A,  from 


ORIOLES.  363 

Va.  to  Canada;  winters  in  Mex.  and  Central 
America;  south  in  Sept.;  north  in  May. 
Song  loud,  clear  distinct  whistles,  but  very 
variable,  given  full  only  in  May  and  June; 
heard  somewhat  shortened  in  late  Aug.  and 
early  Sept.  ;  has  a  scolding  chatter  when 

Fig.  291 


Yellow-headed  Blackbird. 


annoyed;  young  utter  a  monotonous  piping 
wrhen  first  out  of  nest  in  July.  Nests  in 
trees,  woven  and  pendulous. 

406.     BULLOCK  ORIOLE. 

Differs  from    last  in   having  orange  of 
throat  extending  on  cheeks,  often  over  eye, 


364  ORIOLES. 

large  patch  of  white  on  wings;  tip  of  tail, 
black.  Female  differs  in  having  broad 
wing  patch  like  male.  Western  U.  S.,  ac- 
cidental in  Me. 

407.     ORCHARD  ORIOLE. 

Smaller,  6.70;    differs   from    Baltimore 
chiefly  in  having  oranore  replaced  by  chest- 


Rusty  Blackbird.     1-0. 

nut  and  tail  wholly  black,  fig.  290.  Female 
green  with  whiter  markings  in  a  male.  Young 
male  like  female,  gradually  assuming  full 
male  dress.  Eastern  U.  S.  from  Fla.  north 
to  Mass,  where  it  is  rare.  Winters  in  Mex. 


BLACKBIKDS.  365 

and  Central  America;  south  in  Sept.;  north 
in  May.  Nests  made  of  grass  woven  when 
green,  then  bleached.  Song  softer  and  rather 
more  musical  than  in  Baltimore. 

408.     YELLOW-HEADED  BLACKBIRD. 
Larger,    10.50;     black;     head,    yellow; 
white    patch    on   wing.     Female,  duller,  no 

Fig.  294 


Brewer  Blackbird. 

white  on  wing.  Young  male  like  female, 
but  has  white  on  wing,  fig.  291.  Western 
U.  S.  east  to  111.;  casual  in  Mass.,  Pa.,  Md.? 
W.  Va.,  District  of  Columbia,  S.  C.  and 
Fla.  Song  a  wheezy  squeak.  Largely  res- 
ident. 


366  BLACKBIRDS. 

409.     RUSTY  BLACKBIRD. 

Smaller,  9.50;  wings  and  tail,  long, 
latter  a  little  rounded;  black  throughout; 
iris,  white,  fig.  292.  Female,  gray;  both 
tinged  with  rusty  in  autumn.  Eastern  N. 
A.  from  northern  N.  E.  northward;  winters, 
on  Gulf  coast;  south  in  Sept;  north  in 
March;  gregarious,  often  associating  with 
Red-wings.  Nests,  in  bushes. 

410.     BREWER  BLACKBIRD. 

Differs  from  last  in  having  a  thicker 
bill,  fig.  293;  head  more  irridescent,  grayish 
in  autumn.  Female  not  as  gray  in  summer. 

411.     BRONZED  GRACKLE. 

Larger,  12.50;  tail,  long  and  graduated; 
black;  head  glossed  with  green-blue,  and 
sharply  defined  against  bronze  of  back,  fig. 
294.  Female,  darker.  Young,  at  first  brown. 
Temperate  N.  A.  east  of  Rockies,  excepting 
regions  occupied  by  next  two.  Winters  in 
southern  States,  south  in  Nov.;  north  in 
March.  Notes  harsh  and  grating,  not  un- 


GRACKLES. 


367 


like  the  creaking  of  a  rusty  hinge;  alarm  a 
rather  soft  chat.  Gregarious  at  all  times. 
Nests  in  communities  on  trees  or  bushes. 

412.     PURPLE  GRACKLE. 
Differs  from  last  in  having  glossing  of 
head  more  greenish   and   back  less  bronzy, 

Fig.  294 


Bronzed  Grakle.     1-5. 

and  mixed  with  colors  of  head.  Atlantic 
coast  region  east  of  Alleghanies  from  north- 
ern shore  of  L.  L,  Sound  and  lower  Hudson 
Valley  to  Ga.  Winter  range  and  migration 
as  in  last.  Flight  steady  and  direct. 


368  GRACKLES. 

413.     FLORIDA  GRACKLE. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  smaller,  in 
having  head  glossing  violet-blue  which 
tinting  extends  to  wings  and  back.  Fla.  and 
Gulf  coast  to  La. 

Fig.  295 


Boat-tailed  Grackle.     1-6. 

-414.     BOAT-TAILED  GRACKLE. 

Large,  16,  tail  more  strongly  graduated, 
black,  glossed  with  blue-green,  fig.  295.  Fe- 
male smaller  and  red-brown,  darker  above. 
Young  male,  like  female.  South  Atlantic 


COWBIKD.  369 

and  Gulf  coast  of  U.  S.  from  Va.  to  Tex. 
Song,  a  series  of  sharp,  loud  notes,  given 
rapidly  as  a  kind  of  chatter,  this  is  some- 
times preceded  by  a  single,  more  mellow 
note;  also  makes  a  shuffling  sound  which 
may  be  produced  by  wings,  and  a  sharp 

Fig.  296 


Cowbird. 

croak  when  annoyed.  When  singing  bows 
head,  spreads  wings  and  ruffles  feathers. 
Occurs  in  open  marshy  places.  Flight  slow 
and  very  direct. 

415.     COWBIRD. 

Smaller,  7.80;  wings  and  tail,  medium; 
black;  head  and  neck,  chocolate-brown,  fig. 


ro 


COWB1R1). 


296.  Female,  gray-brown.  Nestlings,  both 
sexes  similar  to  adult  female,  but  moult  at 
once  into  adult  dress.  Breeds  from  Ga.  north- 
ward throughout  temperate  N.  A.;  winters 
in  Mex.  and  southward;  south  in  Oct.,  north 

.  297 


1-4. 


in  April.  Flight  swift  and  winding,  espe- 
cially when  in  pursuit  of  female.  Gregarious 
in  autumn,  often  alighting  about  cattle  to 
feed  upon  locusts.  Song,  sweet  su-sie,  very 
sweetly  given  in  a  liquid  tone,  also  a  wheezy 
double  croak  given  while  the  bird  ruffles  its 


BOBOLINK.  371 

feathers  and  bows  its  head,  also  a  prolonged 
whistling  cry,  usually  emitted  when  flying, 
and  a  blackbird-like  chirp.  Deposits  eggs  in 
nests  of  other  birds. 

416.     BOBOLINK. 

7.50;  wings,  long;  tail,  medium,  with 
feathers  pointed.     Spring  male,  black,  buff 

Fi£.  298 


Black-throated  Bunting.     1-4 

patch  on  back  of  head,  and  white  markings 
above, fig.  297.  Female,  yellow-buff,  streaked 
with  black  above  and  on  sides  (behind  male). 
Male  in  autumn  like  female.  Breeds  from 
Middle  States  northward  into  British  Pro- 


372  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

vinces,  west  to  Utah;  winters  in  northern 
S.  A.,  south  in  Sept.,  north  in  May.  Fre- 
quents meadows  and  moist,  grassy  fields. 
Nests,  on  grounds.  Food,  seeds  and  insects. 
A  well-known  rollicking  song,  a  blackbird- 
like  chirp  and  a  metalic  clink  when  migra- 
ting. Flight,  slow  with  down  drooping 
wings  and  quick  wing-beats.  Gregarious 
when  migrating,  assembling  in  large  flocks. 

SPARROWS    AND     FINCHES. 

Generally  robust  birds,  with  short, 
thick  bills.  A  wide -spread  family  with 
numerous  species. 

417.     BLACK-THROATED  BUNTING. 

Medium,  6.15;  streaked  above,  un- 
streaked  beneath;  ash-yellow  on  back,  white 
below,  yellow  on  breast,  black  spot  on 
throat,  fig.  298.  Female,  duller.  Breeds 
in  U.  S.  between  Alleghanies  and  Rockies, 
now  rare  in  eastern  section.  Winters  in  Mex. 
and  Central  America.  Nests  in  trees  and 
bushes;  eggs,  3-5.  Song,  a  lisping  twitter. 


SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES.  373 

418.     CHIPPING  SPARROW. 

Small, 5. 50;  tail  slightly  forked. streaked 
above,  not  below;  crown  red-brown  in  strong 
contrast  to  gray  of  neck  above;  gray  beneath, 
black  line  through  eye;  bill,  black,  fig.  299. 
Young,  streaked  below  and  on  crown, 


Chipping  Sparrow.     1-3. 

Breeds  throughout  eastern  N.  A.  from 
Canada  south  to  Gulf  coast;  winters  in 
southern  U.  S.;  south  in  Oct.,  north  in  April. 
Frequents  open  sections  often  near  settle- 
ments, sometimes  near  houses.  Song,  a  thin, 


374 


SPAREOWS    AND    FINCHES. 


quickly  given  trill  of  double  wirey  notes;  a 
low,  rather  sharp  chirp  of  annoyance.  Nest 
of  fine  rootlets  lined  with  horse  hair;  eggs, 
3-4,  blue  black-spotted. 

Fig.  300 


Tree  Sparrow.     1-4. 

419.     TREE  SPARROW. 

Larger  than  last,  6.50;  crown  color  not 
in  strong  contrast  with  black;  sides  of  head 
plain  gray,  under  mandible  yellow;  dark 
spot  on  breast;  chestnut  patch  on  side; 
white  wing  bands  distinct,  fig.  300.  Breeds 


SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES.  375 

in  eastern  N.  A.  from  Labrador  northward; 
winters  from  N.  E.  to  S.  C. ;  south  in  late 
Oct.,  north  in  late  April.  Frequents  mar- 
gins of  woodlands  and  thickets,  venturing 
into  weed  patches  in  winter.  Song,  a  clear 


Field  Sparrow.     1-3. 

chant,  beginning  with  two  or  three  loud 
notes,  falls  to  other  lower  no'es  and  ends 
with  a  low,  sweet  warble;  in  autumn  and 
winter  gives  a  low  murmuring  warbling 
song.  Nests  in  trees,  eggs  pale  blue  spotted 
with  reddish. 


SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

420.     FIELD  SPARROW. 

Smaller,  5.90;  tail  longer  than  in  chip- 
pie, crown  uniform  in  color  with  back,  sides 
and  beneath  yellow-gray,  bill  red.  fig.  301. 
Breeds  in  eastern  N.  A.,  north  to  southern 
British  Provinces;  winters  in  southern  U.  S., 
south  in  Oct.,  north  in  April.  Frequents 
brushy  on  cedar -covered  hill  sides;  song 
begins  with  two  or  three  single  notes,  than 
continues  with  a  constantly  decreasing  trill, 
which  ascends,  is  a  monotone,  or  descends; 
very  sweetly  given  and  appeals  to  all  who 
love  bird  music.  Nests  usually  in  low 
bushes,  sometimes  on  ground,  of  grass,  etc.; 
eggs,  pale  blue,  reddish  spotted. 

421.     WESTERN  FIELD  SPARROW. 

Differs  from  last  in  having  wings  and 
tail  longer,  grayer  above,  crown  with  median 
line;  paler  below.  Western  portions  of  Great 
Plains;  south  in  winter  to  Tex.,  casually  to 
eastern  La. 


SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 


377 


422.     CLAY-COLORED  SPARROW. 

5.65;  crown,  streaked;  ear  coverts, 
brown  in  contrast  with  buff  of  sides  of  head; 
buff-brown  above,  streaked  with  black;  dull 


Fi<r.  302 


White-throated  Sparrow.     1-3. 

white  beneath;  bill,  pale  brown.  Breeds 
on  Great  Plains  from  north-western  111. 
west  to  Rockies;  south  in  winter  to  Mex.; 
rare  during  migration  in  western  Md.  and 
Mich. 


378  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

423.     BREWER  SPARROW. 

Differs  from  last  in  absence  of  brown 
on  side  of  head.  Western  U.  S.  in  winter 
south  to  Mex.;  accidental  in  Mass. 

Fig.  303 


White-crowned  Sparrow.     1-3. 

424.  WHITE  THROATED  SPARROW. 

Larger,  6.35;  streaked  above,  not  be- 
low, crown,  black  and  white;  distinct  white 
wing -bands,  red-brown  above;  white  of 
throat  in  strong  contrast  with  gray  of 


SPARROWS    AXD    FINCHES.  379 

breast;  yellow  line  over  eye,  white  behind, 
fig.  302.  Breeds  in  eastern  N.  A.  from 
mountains  of  Mass,  north  to  Hudson  Bay; 
winters  from  Mass,  (not  commonly)  south 
to  Fla.;  south  in  Oct.,  north  in  April.  Fre- 
quents margins  of  woods  and  thickets  near 
or  on  ground.  Song,  a  series  of  prolonged, 
sweet  whistles:  pea-body , pea-body ', pea-body , 
etc.  Nests  on  ground;  eggs,  4-5,  pale  blue, 
spotted. 

425.     WHITE-CROWNED  SPARROW. 

Large,  7;  grayer  above;  no  yellow  about 
head,  white  of  throat  grading  into  gray  of 
breast  without  strong  contrast,  head  with 
three  distinct  white  stripes,  bill  deep  red, 
fig.  303.  Breeds  in  eastern  N.  A.  from 
northern  N.  E.  northward  through  Labrador 
to  southern  Greenland;  winters  in  Mex., 
south  in  Oct.,  north  in  May.  Frequents 
open  sections  near  thickets.  Song,  much 
shorter  than  in  last  and  more  quickly 
given. 


380  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

426.     GOLDEN-CROWNED  SPARROW. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  grayer,  espe- 
cially on  throat;  median  line  on  crown, 
yellow  and  wider.  Breeds  in  northern 

Fig.  304 


Song  Sparrow.     1-8. 

Pacific   Coast    region,    south    in    winter   to 
Lower  Cal.,  casual  in  Wis. 

427.     HARRIS  SPARROW. 
Larger    than    last;    top    of    head    and 
throat,  black,  and  lower  parts  white.     In- 


SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES.  381 

terior  plains  of   N.  A.,  in  winter    south    to 
Tex;  in  migration  east  to  Wis.  and.  111. 

428.  SONG  SPARROW. 
Smaller,  6.46;  wings,  short;  tail,  long 
rounded,  body  streaked  above  and  below; 
reddish  above,  white  below  where  streaks 
accumulate  to  form  spots  on  sides  of  jaw 
and  center  or  breast,  fig.  304.  Breeds  in 
Eastern  N.  A.  from  Va.  north  to  Fur  Coun- 
tries; winters  from  Mass,  to  Fla.;  south  in 
Nov.,  north  in  Mnrch.  Frequents  open  sec- 
tions especially  near  water.  Flight  weak 
and  erratic,  seeks  shelter  in  bushes.  Song, 
variable,  but  typically  begins  with  three 
notes,  runs  into  a  warble,  ends  with  two 
notes,  a  summer  variation  is  be-e-e-e  wretched, 
the  first  portion  being  given  slowly,  the 
wretched  rapidly  with  accent  on  the  ed; 
alarm  chirp  soft. 

429.     LINCOLN  SPARROW. 
Smaller,  5.00,  paler  red  above  streak- 
ings  finer,  buff  band  across  breast,  fig.  305. 


382  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

Fift.  305 


Lincoln  Sparrow. 


SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES.  383 

Breeds  throughout  N.  A.  chiefly  north  of  U. 
S.;  winters  in  Panama,  south  in  Oct.,  north 
in  May.  Not  very  common  in  N.  E.  Song, 
low,  prolonged,  varied,  and  pleasing.  Fre- 
quents thickets,  often  near  water. 

Fig.  306 


Swamp  Sparrow.     1-3. 

430.     SWAMP  SPARROW. 

Size  of  last,  top  of  head  wholly  red- 
brown,  colors  above,  especially  on  wings, 
much  richer;  '  beneath  gray  across  breast 
with  faint  streaking,  fig.  306;  winter  and 
and  young,  top  of  head  streaked  and  mark- 
ings below  more  distinct.  Breeds  in  eastern 


384  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

N.  A.  from  Mass,  north  to  Labrador  and 
Newfoundland;  winters  from  Middle  States 
(occasionally  from  Mass.)  to  Fla.;  south  in 
Oct.,  north  in  April.  Frequents  swampy 
thickets  which  border  large  marshes.  Song, 
an  explosive,  loud  trill;  in  autumn  a  low 
murmuring  warble.  Nests  on  trassocks  in 
open  marshes. 

431.     FOX  SPARROW. 

Larger,  7.25,  longer  wings,  tail  a  little 
rounded;  yellow-red  above,  white  beneath, 
heavily  streaked  on  both  surfaces  with  dark 
red-brown,  spottings  often  as  in  Song  Spar- 
row, fig.  307.  Breed  from  islands  in  Gulf 
of  St.  Lawrence,  northward  to  Arctic  (rarely 
in  northern  Me);  winters  from  Mass,  to  Fla., 
south  in  Oct.,  north  in  April.  Frequents 
thickets,  feeding  on  ground,  scratches  much 
among  leaves,  etc.  Songs  begins  loud  and 
clear  with  three  double  notes,  ending  with 
two,  the  last  ascendent,  wil-lie,wil-lie,wil-lie 
work  you,  one  of  the  finest  of  our  sparrow 


SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES.  385 

\songs.     Nests,  on    ground;    eggs,  pale    blue 
heavily  spotted  with  red-brown. 

432.     RED-EYED  TOWHEE. 

Larger,  8,  tail,  long,  wings  short;  above, 
lower  neck  and  upper  breast,  black;  sides, 
red-brown;  tips  of  outer  tail  feathers,  middle 

Fig.  307 


Fox  Sparrow.     1-3. 

parts  beneath,  and  few  makings  on  wing, 
white;  iris,  red,  fig.  308.  Breeds  from 
southern  British  Provinces  south  to  Gulf 
coast,  winters  from  Middle  States  to  Fla.; 
south  in  Oct.,  north  in  May.  Frequents  low 
growths;  feeds  on  ground,  scratching  among 


386  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

fallen  leaves.  Song,  uttered  when  bird  is 
perching  high,  like  drink  your  te-e-e-e,  first 
note  accented,  last  prolonged,  a  loudly  and 
sharply  given  tow-hee  when  annoyed  (some- 
times interpreted  as  che-wink).  Nests  on 
ground,  eggs  pale  blue,  thickly  dotted  with 
red  brown. 

Fig.  308 


Red-eyed  Towhee.     1-4. 

433.     WHITE-EYED  TOWHEE. 

A  little  smaller  than  last,  less  white  on 
tail  and  wings,  paler,  especially  on  sides; 
song,  shorter  and  more  quickly  given, 
alarm  jo-ree.  Florida. 


SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES.  387 

434.     ARCTIC  TOWHEE. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  grayer  above, 
paler  on  sides,  more  white  on  wings,  and 
tail,  streaks  of  white  on  sides  of  back.  Great 
Plains  to  Rockies,  casual  in  Wis. 

435.     GREEN-TAILED  TOWHEE. 

Wings  and  tail,  olive  green;  crown, 
rufous;  sides  of  head,  ashy;  throat,  line  on 
side  of  head,  and  maler  streak,  white;  body, 
brown  above,  gray  beneath.  Rocky  moun- 
tain distinct;  accidental  in  Va. 

436.     JUNCO. 

Smaller.  6.25;  slate-gray,  middle  por- 
tions below  and  outer  tail  feathers,  white; 
bill,  pink,  fig.  309.  Young,  streaked.  Fe- 
male, duller.  Breeds  from  mountains  of 
Penn.,  Mass,  and  N.  Y.  northward  to  Arctic 
coast;  winters  from  Mass,  to  northern  Fla., 
south  in  Oct.,  north  in  April.  Nests  on 
ground;  eggs,  pale  blue,  finely  spotted  with 
red-brown.  Frequents  thickets  and  margins 


388  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

of  woodlands.  Song,  a  musical,  tinkling 
trill;  in  winter  and  early  spring,  a  low,  more 
musical  warble;  note  of  annoyance,  a  sharp 
chirp,  given  double  when  much  disturbed. 
Flight,  rapid  and  darting,  but  somewhat 
erratic. 

Fig.  309 


Junco.     1-4. 

437.     CAROLINA  JUNCO. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  larger,  lighter 
above;  young,  more  narrowly  streaked. 
Breeds  on  higher  portions  of  southern  Alle- 
ghanies  from  Va.  south  to  northern  Ga.;  in 
winter  descends  to  surrounding  low  lands. 


SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES.  389 

438.  MONTANA  JUNCO. 
Differs  from  Junco  in  being  a  little 
smaller,  brownish  patch  on  back,  sides  and 
flanks,  purplish  cinnamon;  grayer  above. 
Breeds  in  Montana,  etc.;  winters  from  Ariz, 
to  Tex.,  straggling  eastward  to  Kan.,  111., 
Mass,  and  Md. 

439.  GRAY-HEADED  JUNCO. 

Differs  from  Junco  in  being  uniform 
gray  above;  patch  of  cinnamon  on  back. 
Breeds  in  mountains  of  southern  Wyo. 
Utah,  Nev.  and  northern  N.  M.;  winters  in 
surrounding  low  lands  and  south  to  north- 
ern Mex,;  accidental  in  Mich. 

440.  PINE  WOOD  SPARROW. 
5.70;  tail  graduated;  gray  above,  thickly 

streaked  with  chestnut;  white  below,  buff 
on  throat,  breast  and  sides,  unstreaked,  fig. 
310.  Partly  resident,  but  some  migrate  a 
little  south.  Southern  Ga.  and  Fla.  Fre- 
quents flat,  grassy  pine  woods.  Flight, 
low,  fluttering  and  erratic,  keeps  much  in 


390  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

grass  through  which  it  runs  nimbly  and  is 
quite  difficult  to  start.  Song,  given  when 
perching  on  lower  limb  of  tree  or  on  a 
stump,  a  prolonged,  rather  sweet  trill, 
ending  in  the  series  of  chirps  or  a  harsh  trill. 

Fig.  310 


Pine-woods  Sparrow.     1-4. 

441.     BACHMAN  SPARROW. 

A  little  larger  than  last,  more  buffy 
above,  streakings  more  rufous;  clearer  buff 
beneath.  Breeds  from  S.  C.  northern  Ga. 
and  Gulf  coast  north  to  southern  Va., 
southern  Ind.,  and  southern  111.;  south  in 
winter  to  Fla. 


SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES.  391 

Fig.  311 


Grasshopper  Sparrow.     1-4. 


392  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

442.     GRASSHOPPER  SPARROW. 

Smaller;  wings,  very  short;  tail,  graduated; 
feathers,  pointed.  General  tint,  buff;  crown 
with  light  central  stripe;  above  streaked 
with  rufous  and  black;  line  over  eye  to  bill, 
yellow;  uustreaked  beneath;  young  and 
winter  adults,  obscurely  streaked  on  breast, 
with  rufous,  fig.  311.  Breeds  in  eastern 
U.  S.  from  Middle  States  north  to  Mass,  and 
southern  Ont. ;  winters  in  Fla.;  south  in 
Sept.,  north  in  May.  Nests  placed  on 
ground;  eggs  white,  spotted  with  rufous. 
Frequents  sandy  fields,  if  grassy,  thus  local 
in  distribution.  Flight,  fluttering  and  direct, 
runs  nimbly  through  grass  and  is  difficult 
to  start.  Song,  given  as  bird  perches  on  a 
slight  elevation,  a  feeble,  stridulating  trill, 
inaudiable  a  few  yards  away. 

444.    FLORIDA  GRASSHOPPER 
SPARROW. 

Smaller    than    last,    lighter    in    buffy 
tints,  but  darker  above.     Southern  Fla. 


SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES.  393 

444.     HENSLOW  SPARROW. 

Size  of  last,  but  more  slender;  back  and 
wings  more  rufous;  head  and  neck  above 
more  greenish,  distinct  dusky  streaks  across 
breast  and  on  sides;  no  yellow  over  eye, 
figs.  312  and  313.  Breeds  in  eastern  U.  S. 

Fig.  312 


Henslow  Sparrow. 

from  Middle  States  northward  to  Mass.; 
winters  from  southern  range  to  middle  Fla.; 
south  in  Sept.,  north  in  May,  local  in  N.  E. 
Frequents  fresh  marshy  land  in  summer, 
grassy  savannahs  in  winter.  Flight  much 
like  two  last.  Song,  a  feeble  se-e-e  ivink,  the 


394 


SPARROWS    AND    FIXCHES. 


Fig.  313.— Henslow  Sparrow.     1-3. 


SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES.  395 

first  notes  prolonged  the  last  quickly  giving 
and  accented. 

445.     LECONTE  SPARROW. 
Size  of  last,  but  more  slender,  head  and 
hind  neck  buff,  latter  streaked  with  chest- 
nut; more  buff  beneath,  fig.  314.    Breeds  in 

Fig.  314 


Leconte  Sparrow. 

prairie  marshes  of  upper  Mississippi  Valley 
north  into  Canada;  winters  in  southern 
States  from  S.  C.  to  western  Fla.  Habits, 
similar  to  last. 

446.     SEASIDE  SPARROW. 
Larger,     5.50;     gray     above,     slightly 
streaked  with  darker;  line  over  eye,  yellow; 


39G  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

white  beneath,  buff  on  breast,  streaked  here 
and  on  sides  with  gray;  sides  of  head,  gray, 
a  black  maxillary  line,  fig.  315.  Salt  marshes 
of  Atlantic  Coast  of  U.  S.,  breeding  from 
southern  N.  E.  to  Ga.;  winters  from  N.  C. 
south  to  Fla.  Frequents  tall  grass  of  salt 


Seaside  Sparrow.     1-3. 

marshes  which  are  submerged  by  the  tide. 
Nests,  on  dry  marshes,  sometimes  on  ground, 
but  often  fastened  to  grass  sterns  or  placed 
in  low  bushes.  Song,  a  low  twitter,  given 
as  bird  hovers  low  over  the  grass.  Flight, 
low,  direct  with  rapid  wing-beats. 


SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES.  397 

447.     MACGILLIVARY  SEASIDE 
SPARROW. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  darker,  back 
more  distinctly  streaked  with  black  and 
streakings  beneath  broader.  From  Charles- 
ton, S.  E.  to  eastern  Fla.;  breeding  on  Anas- 
tasia  Island;  in  winter  along  Gulf  coast  to  La. 

448.     SCOTT  SEASIDE  SPARROW. 

Differs  from  last  in  having  no  prom- 
inent streakings  above,  grayer  above,  more 
streakings  below  often  on  throat.  Breeds 
in  western  Fla.  from  Tarpon  Springs  to 
Cedar  Keys.  Song,  four  notes,  the  first  two 
low  and  quickly  uttered  with  a  distinct 
articulation,  the  last  two  more  connected, 
more  prolonged  with  a  decided  accent,  thus 
the  song  somewhat  resembles  that  of  a  Red- 
winged  Blackbird,  and  the  bird  spreads  his 
wings,  bows  his  head,  and  ruffles  his  feathers 
much  as  does  the  Red-wing:  song  given  as 
bird  sits  low  in  grass. 


398  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

449.    FISHER  SEASIDE  SPARROW. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  much  darker, 
more  black  above;  breast  and  sides  deep 
buffy.  Breeds  on  coast  of  La.;  in  winter 
along  west  coast  of  Fla.  to  Tarpon  Springs. 

Fig.  316 


Sharp-tailed  Sparrow.     1-3. 

450.     DUSKY  SEASIDE  SPARROW. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  black  above, 
white  beneath  broadly  streaked  with  black, 
Merritt's  Island,  shore  of  Bannana  and  In- 
dian Rivers  north  to  Old  Haulover  Canal 
and  about  upper  St.  Johnis  River,  Fla.  Fre- 


SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES.  399 

quents  dry  marshes.     Song  and  manner  of 
singing  like  Seaside  Sparrow. 

451.     SHARP-TAILED  SPARROW. 

Size  of  last,  sides  of  head  deep  buff,  en- 
closing a  gray  spot;  paler  buff  elsewhere, 
streaked  above  on  sides  and  across  breast 
with  black;  top  of  head,  dark-brown  with  a 
median  line  of  buff,  fig.  316.  Breeds  on 
Atlantic  coast  of  U.  S.  from  Mass,  to  north- 
ern Pla. ;  casually  as  far  north  as  Mass., 
south  in  Oct.,  north  in  May.  Prequents 
rather  dry  salt  marshes.  Song,  a  feeble 
twitter,  given  as  bird  hovers  over  grass. 

452.     NELSON  SHARP-TAILED 
SPARROW. 

Smaller  than  last,  brighter  in  color, 
streaking  narrower,  but  more  sharply  de- 
fined. Breeds  on  prairie  marshes  of  Missis- 
sippi Valley  from  northern  111.  north  to 
Manitoba;  winters  along  Gulf  coast  from  S. 
C.  to  Tex.,  regular  during  migration  in 
Oct.  on  coast  of  Mass. 


40U  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

453.     ACADIAN  SHARP-TAILED 
SPARROW. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  larger,  paler 
and  in  having  indistinct  streakings,  espe- 
cially below.  Breeds  on  Atlantic  coast  of 
British  Provinces  from  north  of  St.  Lawrence 
southward,  occasionally  to  coast  of  Me. 

Fm.  817 


Savannah  Sparrow.     1-3. 

454.     SAV4NNAH  SPARROW. 

Wings,  long;  tail,  short  and  square, 
5.75;  gray  above,  white  beneath,  streaked 
everywhere  with  sharply  defined  black  lines; 
line  from  bill  over  eye,  yellow,  crown  with 
central  line,  fi,2.  317.  Eastern  N.  A.,  breed- 
ing from  Middle  States  north  to  Hudson 
Bay,  more  commonly  in  N.  E.  (excepting  in 
Connecticut  Valley)  on  coast.  Winters,  from 


SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES'.  401 

Carolinas  to  Fla. ;  casually  north  to  Mass., 
south  in  Oct.,  north  in  April.  Flight,  swift 
and  darting,  never  takes  refuge  in  a  thicket, 
runs  nimbly  through  grass  where  it  hides. 
Song,  a  series  of  feeble  grasshopper-like 
notes,  followed  by  a  low  warble  given  as  the 
bird  perches  at  a  not  high  elevation. 

Fig.  818 


Vesper  Sparrow.     1-4. 

455.     IPSWICH  SPARROW. 

Larger  than  last,  6.25,  and  much  paler, 
about  sand-color,  streakings  not  well  defined. 
Breeds  on  Sable  Island  off  Nova  Scotia; 
winters  south  to  N.  J.,  casually  to  Ga.; 
south  in  Oct..  north  in  April.  Frequents 
sand  dunes  on  coast. 


402  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

456.     VESPER  SPARROW. 

Size  of  last,  gray  above,  white  below, 
streaked  on  back,  crown  (where  there  is  no 
dividing  line)  upper  breast  and  front  part 
of  sides  with  black,  sides  of  head  with  two 
dark  lines;  outer  tail  feathers,  white,  fig. 
318.  Breeds  in  eastern  U.  S.  from  Middle 

Fig.  819 


Lark  Sparrow.     1-4. 

States  north  to  southern  Canada;  winters 
from  N.  C.,  rarely  from  Mass,  to  Fla.;  south 
in  Oct.,  north  in  April.  Frequents  open 
fields  and  pastures  where  there  is  scanty 
herbage;  nests  in  such  places  on  ground, eggs, 
4-5,  gray  blotched  and  lined  with  darker. 
Runs  much  on  ground;  unsuspicious.  Song, 
given  at  an  elevation,  two  short  notes  fol- 


SPAKROWS    AND    FINCHES.  403 

lowed  by   a   pleasing  warble,   ending   with 
three  detached  notes. 

457.     LARK  SPARROW. 

Medium,  6.50;  tail,  rounded  and  white 
tipped,  brown  above,  heavily  streaked  with 
black;  white  beneath,  with  a  black  spot  on 
breast;  crown,  chestnut,  central  line  of 

Fig.  320 


Lark  Bunting.     1-3. 

white;  checks,  chestnut,  black  markings  as 
in  fig.  319.  Breeds  in  northern  Mississippi 
Valley!,  south  in  winter  to  Gulf  coast,  east- 
ward rarely  to  Atlantic  States  north  to 
Mass.  Frequents  open  fields  and  cultivated 
lands,  often  in  vicinity  of  houses.  Song, 
rich  and  clear,  consisting  of  a  series  of  liquid 
notes  freely  intersperced  with  trills. 


404  SPARROWS   AND    FINCHES. 

458.     LARK  BUNTING. 

Smaller,  6.00,  black;  large  white  patch 
on  wing  and  tip  of  tail,  white,  fig.  320.  Fe- 
male, winter  male  and  young,  brown  above; 
white  beneath,  streaked  with  black;  wings 
and  tail  as  in  adult  male  in  spring.  Great 
Plains  from  Kansas  north  to  Manatoba; 


321 


Snow  Bunting.     1-4. 

winters,  south  to  Mex.,  accidental  in  migra- 
tion in  N.  Y.,  Mass,  and  S.  C. 

459.     SNOW  BUNTING. 

Larger,  6.65;  wings,  very  long  and 
pointed;  white;  back,  middle  wing  and  tail, 
black;  in  winter,  and  young  tinged  with 
rufous,  especially  on  head;  bill,  orange,  fig. 


SPAEROWS   AND    FINCHES.  4U5 

321.  Breeds  in  Arctic  and  Sub-Arctic  from 
northern  Labrador  northward;  migrating 
south  regularly  to  N.  E.  and  more  rarely  to 
Ga.;  south  in  Oct.,  north  in  April.  Greg- 
arious in  winter,  frequenting  sand  and  dunes 
of  coast  and  open  fields  in  interior.  Flight, 
strong,  swift,  but  erratic,  a  flock  resembling 

Fig.  322 


Lapland  Longspur.     1-4. 

dried  leaves  drifting  before  a  high  wind; 
restless,  often  flying  from  place  to  place. 
Song,  a  sweet  warble,  given  \vhen  hovering, 
not  often  heard  off  breeding  grounds.  In 
winter,  a  sweet  single  or  double  note,  less 
often  a  quite  melodious  trill  and  a  kind  of 
chirring  sound,  all  given  on  wing. 


406  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

LAPLAND  LONGSPUR. 

Smaller,  6;  brown  above,  streaked  with 
lighter;  a  distinct  chestnut  collar,  pale  buff 
beneath;  throat  and  spots  on  side,  black; 
outer  tail  feathers  with  terminal  spot  of 
white,  fig.  322.  Female  and  young  have 
markings  duller  and  less  well  defined.  Breeds 
in  Arctic  and  Sub-Arctic  districts  of  Europe, 
Greenland  and  northeastern  N.  A.  Winters 
from  N.  E.  south  to  S.  C.;  common  in  N.  E. 
from  middle  Oct.  to  Dec.;  less  common  in 
winter;  rare  in  spring.  Song,  on  breeding 
ground,  a  rollicking  joyous  melody,  given 
when  hovering;  in  autumn  and  winter  a 
single  or  double  note  a  little  sharper  than 
that  of  Snow  Bunting.  Associates  with 
Horned  Larks  and  Snow  Buntings  or  gathers 
in  small  flocks  by  itself  in  similar  places.. 

461.     SMITH  LONGSPUR. 

Differs  from  last  in  having  outer  tail 
feathers  white,  entire  lower  parts  deep  buff, 
crown  and  sides  of  head,  black;  stripes  on 


SPARROWS   AND    FINCHES. 


407 


head  and  middle  bar,  white.  Breeds  on  in- 
terior plains  of  N.  A.  from  Great  Slave  Lake 
north  to  Arctic  coast;  south  in  winter  to 
Texas,east  regularly  to  111.  and  northwestern 
Ind.,  casually  to  S.  C. 

Fig.  323 


Purple  Finch.     1-4. 


452. 


CHESTNUT-COLLARED 
LONGSPUR. 

Differs  from  Lapland  Longspur  in 
having  top  of  head,  spot  on  ear  covert,  and 
beneath,  black;  throat,  broad-stripe  over 
eye,  and  wing-band,  white.  Breeds  on 


408  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

Great  Plains  of  N.  A.  from  Kansas  north  to 
Saskatchewan;  south  in  winter  to  Mex.  and 
casually  east  to  coast  of  N.  E.  and  Long 
Island.  Song,  short,  shrill,  and  sweet, 
usually  given  in  flight. 

463.  MCCOWN  LONGSPUR. 
Size  of  last,  tail  shorter,  flight  undula- 
ting, white  beneath;  front  of  crown,  crescent 
on  breast,  black;  gray  above,  broadly 
streaked  with  black;  outer  portion  of  tail, 
white,  broadly  tipped  with  black.  Female, 
without  black  on  head  or  breast;  buffy 
beneath.  Breeding  range  and  southward 
migration  much  as  in  Smith  Longspur; 
casual  east  to  111. 

464.     PURPLE  FINCH. 

Small,  6;  wings,  long;  tail,  forked;  bill, 
short  and  thick,  brown;  crimson-lake  obscu- 
rely streaked  with  darker  on  breast,  fig.  323. 
Female  and  young,  brown  above,  white 
below,  heavily  streaked  with  dusky;  a 
prominent  white  line  over  eye;  adult  male 


SPARROWS   AND    FINCHES. 


409 


dress  not  assumed  the  first  year.  Eastern 
N.  A.;  breeds  from  Penn.  north  to  Hudson 
Bay;  winters  from  Mass,  to  Fla.  Frequents 
open  country.  Nests,  in  cedar  trees;  eggs, 
blue,  spotted  with  black.  Song  also  given 

Fig.  324 


Canadian  Pine  Grosbeak.     1-5. 

by  young  male  and,  at  least  occasionally, 
by  female,  a  continuous  warble;  sometimes 
given  more  rapidly  and  musically  as  bird 
ascend  in  air  and  descend;  a  low  whispered 
melody  given  in  concealment;  alarm,  a  sharp 
chirp.  Flight,  direct,  undulating  with  a 


410  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

characteristic  quiver  of  wings.     In  perching 
sits  upright. 
465.    CANADIAN  PINE  GROSBEAK. 

Larger,  8;  wings,  long;  tail,  forked; 
rosy-red;  back,  obscurely  spotted  with  dusky; 
two  white  wing-bands,  fig.  324.  Female, 
gray;  top  of  head  and  rump,  bronzy-yellow. 
Young  male  similar  to  female,  but  more  or 
less  red,  depending  on  age.  Breeds  in  north- 
eastern N.  A.  from  New  Brunswick  north 
to  limit  of  conferous  forests,  wandering 
south  when  cone  seed  and  ash  seed  crops 
fail  to  N.  J.,  northern  Ohio,  Ind.  and  111.; 
casually  further  south.  Occurs  with  us 
wherever  it  can  find  food,  which  consists  of 
cone  seeds,  cedar  berries,  mountain  and 
common  ash  seeds.  Very  unsuspicious. 
Song,  alow,  continuous  warble,  and  a  loud, 
clear  double  call  note.  Flight,  swift  and 
undulating.  Gregarious  in  winter. 

466.     REDPOLL. 

Small,  5;  wings,  long  and  pointed;  tail, 
long  and  forKed,  brown  above;  crown  crim- 


SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES.  411 

son,  rosy  beneath;  black  spot  on  throat. 
Females  and  young  without  the  rosy  on 
breast,  fig.  325.  Northern  part  of  northern 
Hemisphere,  breeding  from  Gulf  of  St.  Law- 
rence northward;  south  irregularly  when 

Fig.  325 


Redpoll. 

food  fails  in  north  to  northern  U.  S.,  rarely 
to  Va.  and  northern  Ala.;  south  in  Nov., 
north  in  April.  Song,  a  sweet,  melodious 
warble;  a  call  which  is  similar  to  that  of 
the  Goldfinch,  but  not  so  clear,  and  a  kind 
of  chatter  when  flying.  Flight,  undulatory 


412  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

467.     HOLBOELL  REDPOLL. 

Differs  from  last  only  in  being  larger. 
Extreme  northern  portions  of  Europe,  Asia 
and  N.  A.,  wandering  south  in  winter,  rarely 
as  far  as  Mass.,  northern  Ind.  and  Mich. 

468.     GREATER  REDPOLL. 

Size  of  last;  streakings  broader;  rosy 
less  extended.  Resident  in  Greenland  wan- 
dering south  in  winter,  irregularly  and  at 
wide  intervals  as  far  as  Mass,  (where  some- 
times common),  N.  ¥.,  Mich.,  northern  Ind., 
and  northern  111. 

469.     GREENLAND  REDPOLL. 

Size  of  last,  very  pale;  rump,  white, 
unstreaked.  Resident  in  Greenland,  Ice- 
land, and  Spitzbergen,  wandering  in  winter 
irregularly  to  Hudson  Bay  and  casually  to 
Ontario. 

470.     HOARY  REDPOLL. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  smaller,  bill 
very  short.  Circumpolar-continental  dis- 


SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES.  413 

tricts;  irregularly  south  in  winter  to  north- 
ern U.  S.,  Mass,  (rare),  Mich,  and  111.  All 
Redpolls  frequent  open  country  and  are 
gregarious. 

Fig.  326 


Pine  Siskin.     1-4. 

471.     BREWSTER  LINNET. 

Like  an  immature  female  Redpoll,  but 
has  no  red  on  crown;  primaries  and  tail 
feathers  edged  with  pale  yellow;  rump, 
tinged  with  yellow.  Known  only  from  the 
type  specimen  taken  at  Walthain,  Mass., 
Nov.  1,  1870. 


414  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

472.     PINE  SISKIN. 

5.25,  bill  longer,  white  streaked  with 
black;  small  patch  on  wing  and  base  of  tail, 
yellow,  fig.  326.  Breeds  in  'the  mountains 
of  N.  C.,  Penn.  and  N.  E.,  and  north  through 
coniferous  forests  into  Canada;  south  in 
winter,  irregularly  into  U.  S.,  sometimes  as 
far  as  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  Notes,  harsher 
than  those  of  Goldfinch,  but  similar.  Fre- 
quents open  sections  and  birch  woods. 

473.     AMERICAN  GOLDFINCH. 

Larger,  5.60;  lemon  yellow;  top  of  head, 
wings  and  tail,  black;  two  white  wing-bands, 
fig.  327.  Female  and  winter  male,  green- 
brown  above,  white  below,  wing  feathers 
tipped  with  white.  Breeds  in  U.  S.  east  of 
Rockies,  north  into  southern  Canada;  south- 
ward along  mountains  to  Ga.;  winters  from 
Mass,  to  Fla.  Frequents  open  country;  gre- 
garious in  winter.  Song,  a  continuous 
warble,  very  sweet,  sometimes  given  as  the 
bird  flies  in  circles,  call  a  plaintive,  per 


SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 
Fig.  327 


415 


American  Goldfinch.     1-4. 


416  SPARROWS   AND    FINCHES. 

chick-er-ry,  given  when  rising  in  its  un- 
dulating flight.  Nests  often  in  willows  or 
ornamental  trees;  eggs,  pale  blue,  unspotted; 
breeds  late  in  June. 

474.     GOLDFINCH. 
Brown  above  and  on  breast,  white  else- 
where beneath.    Face  crimson,  behind  which 

Fig.  J-&8 


American  Crossbill. 

is  a  white  space,  then  the  remainder  of  the 
head  is  black.  Wings  and  tail,  black,  the 
former  with  a  large  patch  of  yellow.  Europe; 
introduced  into  north  eastern  U.  S..  now 
occurring  regularly  near  N.  Y.  City  and 


SPARROWS   AND    FINCHES.  417 

at  Cincinnati,  Ohio.     Occurs  occasionally  in 
Conn,  and  Mass. 

475.     AMERICAN  CROSSBILL. 

Larger,  6;  wings,  long;  tail,  short, 
forked;  bill  crossed  at  tip;  dull  red,  wings 
and  tail  dusky.  Female  and  young  male 

Fig.  329 


White-winged  Crossbill.     3-3. 

gray-green,  yellow  on  top  of  head,  from  this 
male  gradually  assumes  adult  dress,  fig.  328. 
Breeds  in  northern  and  eastern  N.  A.  from 
mountains  of  northern  parts  of  Canada, 
but  irregularly  as  to  season  and  locality;  in 
winter,  wandering  about  irregularly  accord- 


418  SPARROWS   AND    FINCHES. 

ing  to  food  supply.  Flight,  steady,  swift 
and  undulating;  gregarious.  Song,  a  low, 
sweet  warble;  call  loud  and  clear,  also  gives 
a  murmuring  chatter  when  feeding.  Very 
unsuspicious. 

Fig-.  330 


Evening  Grosbeak.     1-4. 

476.    WHITE-WINGED  CROSSBILL. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  more  slender, 
bill  not  as  stout;  crimson;  wings  and  tail, 
black,  the  former  with  a  conspicuous  patch 
of  white,  fig.  329.  Female  and  young  male, 
rump  yellow:  wing-patch  as  in  male.  Breeds 
in  coniferous  forests  of  northern  N.  A.  from 


SPARROWS   AND    FINCHES.  419 

islands  in  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  northern 
Me.,  N.  H.,  N.  Y.  and  Mich.;  irregularly 
south  in  winter  to  District  of  Columbia, 
southern  Ohio,  central  Ind.  and  southern 
111.  Habits,  song,  etc.,  much  as  in  last. 

Fig.  331 


Rose-breasted  Grosbeak,  tf . 

477.     EVENING  GROSBEAK. 

Larger,  7.60;  bill,  large,  yellow;  wings, 
long;  tail,  short,  emarginate;  black,  fore- 
head, broad  line  over  eye  and  posterior 
portion  of  body,  yellow;  large  white  patch 
on  wing,  fig.  330.  Interior  of  N.  A.  east 


420 


SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 


of  Rockies,  wandering  east  irregularly  south 
to  Kan. 9  east  to  N.  E.  Call  note,  loud  and 
frequently  given;  song,  short  and  not  very 
pleasing. 


Fi 


Rose-breasted  Grosbeak.  $.     1-4. 

478.     ROSE-BREASTED  GROSBEAK. 

Larger,  7.75;  bill,  large,  white;  wings, 
long;  tail,  medium,  square;  head  and  above, 
black;  bands  and  spot  on  wing,  spots  on 


SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 


421 


outer  tail  feathers;  rump  and  beneath, 
white,  figs.  331,  332;  triangular  patch  on 
breast  and  underwing  coverts,  rose.  Female 
brown  above,  white  below,  black  streaked; 
median  line  on  crown  and  one  over  eye, 
white;  underwing  coverts,  saffron  yellow, 

Fig.  333 


Rose-breasted  Grosbeak. 


fig.  333.  Breeds  in  eastern  N.  A.  from 
Middle  States  to  southern  British  possessions, 
along  Alleghenies  to  N.  C.;  winters  in  Cen- 
tral America  and  northern  S.  A.;  south  in 
Sept.,  north  in  May.  Frequents  woodland, 
groves  and  orchards.  Song,  rich,  clear  and 


422  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

varied,  the  notes  flowing  together,  given 
sometimes  on  the  wing;  alarm,  a  metallic 
click.  Flight,  swift  and  undulating.  Nests, 
frail  structures  placed  in  trees  and  bushes; 
eggs,  blue,  spotted  with  rufous. 


Cardinal  Grosbeak.     1-5. 

479.     BLACK-HEADED  GROSBEAK. 

Differs  from  last  in  having  line  behind 
eye;  collar  on  neck  and  lower  parts,  cinna- 
mon-buff; no  rose  color  anywhere.  Female, 
differs  from  last  in  being  generally  tinged 


SPARROWS   AND    FINCHES.  423 

with   buff.     Western    U.   S.   from    Mex.   to 
British  Columbia;  accidental  in  Mich. 

480.  CARDINAL  GROSBEAK. 
Longer,  8.50;  wings,  short;  tail,  long; 
head,  crested;  vermillion  red;  line  surround- 
ing bill  and  throat,  black,  fig.  334.  Female 
duller,  yellow-gray  above  and  yellow-buff 
beneath.  Eastern  U.  S.  from  Gulf  States, 
excepting  Fla.,  north  to  N.  Y.,  including 
Long  Island.  Resident.  Frequents  thickets, 
margins  of  swamps  and  woodlands,  Song, 
loud,  clear  and  very  melodious:  whe-e-e,  re- 
peated six  times,  liquid  and  clear;  quit-er, 
quickly  given  five  or  six  times;  wheat,  a 
little  prolonged  and  exceedingly  sweet  and 
clear,  also  given  six  times.  Sings  at  almost 
all  seasons.  Alarm,  a  sharp  chirp.  Nests 
in  tree  and  bushes,  eggs  gray,  spotted  with 
yellow  brown. 

481.     FLORIDA  CARDINAL. 
Differs    from    last    in    being    smaller, 
darker  above  and  deeper  red  beneath.     Fe- 
male, deeper  buff.     Fla. 


424 


SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 


482.     BLUE  GROSBEAK. 

Smaller,  7;  wings  and  tail,  long;  deep 
blue;  wing-bands,  tawny,  fig.  335.  Female 
and  young,  reddish-brown,  paler  beneath. 
Breeds  in  southern  portions  of  eastern  U.  S. 
from  N.  J.  and  Penn.  southward.  Winters 

Fig.  335 


Blue  Grosbeak. 

in  Yucatan  and  Cuba.  Song,  low,  but 
sweet;  alarm,  a  rather  loud  chirp.  Frequents 
open  sections,  or  among  scattering  trees. 

483.     INDIGO  BIRD. 
Smaller,  5,  green-blue,  fig.  336.    Female 
brown    throughout;    both    sexes    have    the 
under  bill  blue  with  a  line  of  black  from 


SPARROWS   AND    FINCHES.  425 

tips  to  base.  Eastern  U.  S.  north  to  British 
Provinces;  winters,  in  Central  America; 
south  in  Oct.,  north  in  May.  Nest  placed 
in  low  bushes;  eggs,  pale  blue.  Song,  given 
when  perching  high,  a  rather  harsh  un- 
musical warble  divided  into  two  parts, 
uttered  with  energy,  ending  abruptly,  heard 
until  middle  of  Aug.;  alarm,  a  sharp  chirp. 

Fig.  336 


Indigo  Bird. 

484.     PAINTED  BUNTING. 

Size  of  last;  head,  purplish-blue;  back, 
green;  rump,  upper  tail  coverts  and  beneath, 
red.  Female,  yellow-green  paler  beneath. 
Southern  U.  S.  from  southern  Fla.,  111.  and 
N.  C.  to  Fla.;  winters,  from  southern  Fla. 
to  Central  America;  south  in  Sept.,  north 


4126  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

in  March.  Frequents  thickets  in  the  con- 
cealment of  which  the  exceedingly  sweet 
song  is  given. 

485.     VARIED  BUNTING. 
Differs  from  last  in  being  varied  with 
purple,   blue,   and   red;   hind   part  of   head 

Fig.  337 


Bahama  Grassquit.     1-2. 

and  neck,  vermillion;  beneath,  dull  purple; 
reddish  patch  on  throat.  Female,  gray- 
brown;  white  on  throat. 

486.     BAHAMA     GRASSQUIT. 

Small  4,  wings  short  and  rounded;  tail 
short;  black  on  head,  neck  and  anterior  por- 


SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES.  427 

tions  of  body;  gray-green  elsewhere,  fig. 
337.  Female,  sometimes  like  male,  but 
usually  duller  with  little  or  no  black. 
Bahamas;  accidental  in  Fla.  Frequents 
settlements,  nesting  about  houses,  but  also 
occurs  in  unsettled  sections.  Song,  begins 
with  two  or  three  liquid  notes,  given  in  a 

Fig.  338 


Bahama  Bananaquit.     1-; 


clear,  bell-like  tone,  followed  by  a  series  of 
lisping  notes. 

487.     MELODIOUS  GRASSQUIT. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  more  greenish 
above,  darker  below,  line  back  of  eye  and 
tuft  of  elongated  feathers  on  side  of  neck, 


428  IIOXEY    CHEEPERS. 

yellow.  Female,  with  back  of  head  replaced 
by  chestnut;  yellow  duller.  Cuba;  accidental 
on  Sombrero  Key,  Fla. 

H  0  N  E  F     CREEPERS. 

Small    birds,    with    long    wings,    short 
tails;  curved  and  sharply  pointed  bills. 

Fig.  339 


Black  and  White  Warbler.     1-3. 

488.     BAHAMA  BANANAQUIT. 

4.50;  black  above;  line  over  eye,  patch 
on  wing,  tip  of  tail  and  beneath,  white; 
patch  on  breast  and  rump,  bright  yellow, 
fig.  338.  Bahamas;  casual  in  southern  Fla. 


AME1UCAN    WARJ3LEKS.  421) 

Frequents  woodlands;  food,  chiefly  or  wholly 
fruit  and  the  sweet  of  flowers.  Flight, 
strong,  direct  and  darting.  Song,  a  series 
of  low,  cackling  notes.  Nests,  in  trees, 
domed  but  irregular  in  form. 

AMERICAN     WARBLERS. 

Small  birds,  less  than  six  inches  long, 
confined  to  the  continent  of  America  and 
adjacent  islands.  Food,  chiefly  insects.  Eggs, 
white  or  greenish,  spotted  with  brown  of 
varying  shades. 

489.     BLACK   AND  WHITE  WARBLER. 

Medium,  5.25,  black  and  white  in 
stripes,  crown  divided  by  a  white  line;  bill 
and  wings,  long,  fig.  339;  female  duller. 
Breeds  in  eastern  N.  A.  from  Va.  north  to 
Hudson  Bay;  winters,  from  Gulf  States, 
Bahamas  and  West  Indies  to.  northern  S.  A.; 
south  in  Sept.,  north  in  late  April.  Fre- 
quents open  woodlands,  creeping  with  a 
sideling  jerky  motion  about  trees.  Song,  a 
sharp  tve-see,  given  five  or  six  times,  a 


430  AMEKICAN    WARBLEKS. 

longer,  louder  lay,  much  like  the  ordinary 
song  of  the  Nashville  Warbler.  Nest,  on 
ground  near  base  of  tree,  clump  of  bushes, 
or  rock. 

Fig.  340 


Yellow-throated  Warbler.     1-3. 

490.     YELLOW-THROATED   WARBLER. 

Size  of  last;  throat,  yellow;  otherwise 
white  below;  slate  blue  above;  black  mark- 
ings on  head  and  sides  as  in  fig.  340;  line 
from  bill  over  eye,  yellow  in  front,  white 
behind;  tail  spots  and  two  wing- bands, 
white.  Breeds  in  Atlantic  coast  district 
from  Fla.  north  to  Va.5  casually  to  N.  Y., 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS.  431 

Conn,  and  Mass.;  north  in  March,  south  in 
Aug.  and  Sept.  Occurs  in  open  woodlands, 
usually  in  tree  tops.  Song,  a  short,  low 
warble. 

491.     SYCAMORE  WARBLER. 

Smaller  than  last,  line  over  eye  with 
little  or  no  yellow.  Mississippi  Valley, 
north  to  southern  Mich.,  east  to  Ohio  and 
casually  to  S.  C.  in  migration. 

492.     BLACK-THROATED  BLUE 
WARBLER. 

Size  of  last,  blue  above,  white  beneath, 
spot  on  wing  and  spots  on  tail  white,  fig. 
341.  Female,  green-brown  above,  lighter 
below;  white  wing  spot  present.  Breeds 
from  mountains  of  Penn.  east  to  western 
Mass,  through  Worcester  Co.;  north  to 
Hudson  Bay;  winters  in  Bahamas,  West 
Indies  and  north  eastern  S.  A.;  south  in 
Sept.,  north  in  May.  Song,  a  short  rather 


432  AMERICAN    WARBLERS. 

weak  zeeping  lisp.    Occurs  often  in  swampy 
thickets. 

493.     CAIRN  WARBLER. 
Differs  from  last  in  having  more  or  less 
black  on  back.     Higher  mountains  of  Penn. 
and  N.  C. 

Fig.  341 


Black-throated  Blue  Warbler.     1-3. 

494.     MYRTLE  WARBLER. 

Larger,  5.50,  slate-blue  above,  white, 
beneath,  four  yellow  patches:  one  on  crown, 
one  on  rump  and  one  on  each  side,  black 
markings  as  in  fig.  342;  wing  bands  and 
tail  spots  present,  latter  small.  Female  and 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS.  433 

young,  brownish  above  and  somewhat  buffy 
beneath;  duller.  Breeds  from  mountains 
of  western  Mass,  and  in  about  same  latitude 
west  to  Rockies,  north  to  Labrador;  winters 
from  southern  coast  of  Me.  and  southern 
Ind.  to  Bahamas,  West  Indies  and  Central 
America;  south  in  Sept.  and  Oct.,  \vhen 

Fig.  342 


Myrtle  Warbler.     1-4. 

abundant, found  everywhere;  north  in  April. 
Son£,  a  low  warble  of  four  or  five  notes; 
alarm,  a  loud  flat  chirp.  Feeds  much  on 
fruit  of  bayberry. 

495.     AUDUBON  WARBLER. 
Differs    from    last    in    having    throat 
yellow    and    les^s    black    on    side    of    head. 


434  AMERICAN    WARBLERS. 

Western    N.  A.;    accidental    in    Mass,    and 
Penn. 

496.     CAPE  MAY  WARBLER. 
Small,  5;  cheeks,  chestnut;  yellow  be- 
low and  on  rump;  much  black  above  and 
streakings  below  as  in  fig.  343;  large  wing 

Fig.  343 


Cape  May  Warbler.     1-3. 

patch  and  tail  spots,  white.  Female  and 
young,  grayer  with  two  wing  bands,  streak- 
ings  beneath,  indistinct.  Breeds  from  north- 
ern N.  E.,  northern  Mich.,  north  to  Hudson 
Bay;  winters  in  Bahamas,  West  Indies  and 
Key  West,  Fla.;  north  in  May,  south  in 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS.  435 

Sept.     Frequents   woodlands  and  orchards. 
Song,  low.  lively  and  pleasing. 

497.     MAGNOLIA  WARBLER. 
Size  of  last,  band  of  black  spots  cross- 
ing    breast     having     pendants     extending 
along  sides;  top  of  head,  slate-blue;  back, 

Fig.  344 


Magnolia  Warbler.     1-3. 

black;  beneath  and  rump,  yellow,  fig.  344. 
Female  and  young,  duller,  but  in  common 
with  male  have  a  band  of  white  spots  cross- 
ing middle  of  tail.  Breeds  from  moun- 
tains of  western  Mass,  west  to  Mich.,  north 
to  Hudson  Bay.  Winters  in  Mex.  and  Cen- 
tral America;  south  in  Sept.,  north  in  May. 


436 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS. 


Song,  a  short,  pleasing  rather  broken  war- 
ble.    Frequents  woodlands  and  thickets. 

498.     CERULEAN  WARBLER. 
Small,  4.50,  bright  blue  above,  white 
beneath  with  a  more  or  less  distint  bluish 

Fig.  345 


Cerulean  Warbler.     1-6. 

band  across  breast;  wing-bands  and  tail 
spots,  white,  figs.  345  and  346.  Female, 
green-blue  above,  yellow-green  beneath. 
Breeds  from  Ohio  River  Valley  north  to 
to  southern  Mich.,  east  to  western  N.  Y., 
rare  east  of  Alleghaneis;  casual  in  southern 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS.  437 

Fig.  346 


Cerulean  Warbler.     1-6. 


438  AMEKICAN    WARBLERS. 

N.  E.;  winters,  chiefly  in  U.S.;  south  in 
Aug.,  north  in  April.  Song,  a  guttural 
trill.  Occurs  in  low  woodlands. 

499.     CHESTNUT-SIDED  WARBLER. 

Larger,  5,  white  beneath,  broadly 
streaked  with  chestnut  on  sides;  crown, 
yellow;  green  above;  patch  on  side  of  head 

.  347 


Chestnut-sided  Warbler.     1-3. 

and  streaks  on  back,  black,  fig.  347  and  348 
upper  fig.  Female,  duller;  young,  without 
chestnut  on  sides,  but  in  adult  and  young 
the  wing -bands  are  always  pale -green. 
Breeds  throughout  N.  E.,  N.  Y.,  and  Penn., 
north  to  Ontario,  less  commonly  west  to  Ind. 
and  111. ;  winters  from  Guatemala  to  Panama, 
south  in  Aug.  and  Sept.,  north  in  May.  Fre- 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS. 


435 


Fig.  34S.    Upper,  Chestnut-sided  Warbler;    lower,  Bluck-thro^ted  Greeu  Warbler. 


440  AMERICAN    WARBLERS. 

quents  brushy  fields,  especially  if  moist. 
Usual  song:  sweet,  sweet,  sweet ...  to-weeche, 
with  a  short  pause  before  the  two  terminal 
syllables,  which  are  given  with  a  rising  in- 
flection; another  not  unusual  song  is  a  rather 
disconnected  lay  not  unlike  that  of  the 

Fig.  349 


X\o 

7  • 

Black-polied  Warbler.     1-3. 

Canadian  Warbler:  another  not  usual  is  one 
similar  to  that  of  the  Nashville  Warbler. 
500.     BLACK-POLLED  WARBLER. 

Larger,  5.50;  black  and  white  in  stripes; 
crown,  solid  black;  white  wing  bands  and 
tail,  spots,  fig.  349.  Female,  autumnal 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS.  441 

rnale  and  young,  green  above  and  pale 
green  beneath,  streaked  above  and  on 
breast  with  black;  wing-bands  often  pale 
green;  under  tail  coverts,  white.  Breeds 
from  extreme  northern  N.  E.  and  northern 
Mich,  to  Hudson  Bay;  winters  in  northern 
S.  A.;  north  in  May,  south  in  Sept.  nnd 
Oct.  Frequents  orchards  and  low  growths 
of  woodlands.  Song,  a  weak  zip,  given 
four  or  five  times  very  quickly;  occasionally 
heard  in  autumn. 

501.     BAY-BREASTED  WARBLER. 

Size  of  last;  crown,  throat  and  sides, 
red-brown  or  bay;  sides  of  head  and  fore- 
head, black;  white  wing  bands  and  tail 
spots;  beneath,  buff,  fig.  350.  Female, 
autumnal  male  and  young,  like  same  plum- 
ages in  Blackpoll,  but  if  not  showing  some 
trace  of  bay,  always  differ  in  having  under 
tail  coverts  buff.  Breeds  from  northern  N.E. 
and  Mich,  to  Hudson  Bay;  winters  in  north- 
ern S.  A.,  south  in  Sept.  and  Oct.,  north  in 


442  AMERICAN    WARBLERS. 

May.  Occurs  in  evergreen  woods.  Song 
begins  with  a  series  of  lisping  notes  and 
ends  with  a  short  warble. 

502.     BLACKBURN1AN  WARBLER. 

Smaller,    4.80;    throat,    upper    breast, 
spot  on  top  of  head  and  behind  ear  coverts. 


Bay-breasted  Warbler.     1-3. 

and  line  over  eye,  bright  orange;  above  and 
steaks  on  sides,  black;  wing  bands  and  tail 
spots,  white,  fig.  351.  Female,  duller.  Breeds 
from  southern  Alleghanies  and  Mich,  north 
through  mountains  of  western  Mass,  to 
Labrador;  winters  in  north-western  S.  A.; 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS.  443 

south  in  Sept.,  north  in  May.  Frequents 
evergreens,  and  sometimes  other  woodlands. 
Song1,  a  series  of  double  notes  like  jullup, 
jullup,  jullup,  becoming  a  little  squeaky  as 
they  advance,  and  terminate  in  an  ascend- 
ing scale. 

Fig.  351 


Blackburnian  Warbler. 


503.     BLACK-THROATED  GREEN 
WARBLER. 

Larger,  5,  cheeks  and  forehead,  yellow: 
green  above,  white  beneath;  throat  and 
streaks  on  sides,  black;  large  tail  spots  and 


444  AMERICAN    WARBLERS. 

wing-bands,  white,  tigs.  348  lower  and  352. 
Female,  with  throat  more  or  less  yellow, 
thus  encroaching  on  black  patch.  Young, 
with  little  black  on  breast.  Breeds  in  east- 
ern IN.  A.  from  Conn,  and  southern  111., 
north  to  Hudson  Bay  and  south  along 

Fig.  352 


Black-  throated  Green  Warbler.     1-3. 

Alleghanies  to  S.  C.;  winters  in  Central 
America;  south  in  Sept.,  north  in  May. 
Occurs  in  evergreen  forests,  but  less  so  in 
pitch  pines.  Song  of  five  or  six  notes, 
Good  Saint  The-re-sa,  given  with  a  rising 
inflection  and  with  a  decided  accent  on  last 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS.  445 

syllable;  another  song,  usually  late  in  sum- 
mer, is  trees,  trees,  mur-mur-ing  trees,  there 
are  also  other  variations  but  all  are  given 
with  a  buzzy  intonation  that  always  charac- 
terizes the  species. 

Fig.  353 


Kirtland  Warbler.     1-3. 

504.  TOWNSEND  WARBLER, 
Differs  from  last  in  having  top  of  head 
and  cheeks  black,  and  in  being  distinctly 
yellow  below  black  breast  patch.  Breeds 
in  western  N.  A.  ;  winters  in  Central 
America;  south  in  Sept.,  north  in  May, 
accidental  in  Pa. 


446  AMERICAN    WARBLERS. 

505.     KIRTLAND  WARBLER. 

Largo,5.50,slaty  above,  yellow  beneath; 
patch  on  side  of  head,  spots  on  breast  and 
sides,  black,  fig.  353;  female,  duller.  Breeds 
in  Mich.  Nests  placed  on  ground.  Winters 

Fig.  854 


Pine  Warbler.     1-3. 

in  Bahamas;  south  in  Sept.,  north  in  May. 
Frequents  low  bushes  in  fields;  moves  tail 
up  and  down,  gives  a  sharp  note  of  alarm 
song,  ch-ch-che-che-a  or  che-che-che-chee  iviche- 
a-tt.  with  the  terminal  a  prolonged  in  both. 
(Norman  A.  Wood).  Rare. 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS.  447 

506.     PINE  WARBLER. 

Size  of  last,  yellow-green  above,  green- 
yellow  below  to  lower  breast,  then  white  to 
end  of  tail  coverts;  two  wing-bands  and  tail 
spots,  white;  faint  dark  streakings  on  breast, 
fig.  354.  Female,  gray  above,  dull  white 
beneath.  Breeds  in  eastern  U.  S.  from 
northern  Fla.,  north  to  New  Brunswick; 
winters  from  N.  C.  (occasionally  as  far  north 
as  Mass.)  to  Fla.  South  in  Sept.  and  Oct., 
north  in  April.  Frequents  pitch  pine  woods, 
less  common  everywhere.  Song,  a  musical 
trill  of  about  six  notes,  sometimes  followed 
by  a  short  warble,  sometimes  the  warble  is 
given  alone;  sings  often  in  Sept.  Song 
something  like  that  of  Chipping  Sparrow, 
but  notes  of  trill  are  single,  more  musical, 
and  have  more  volume.  Double  brooded, 
nesting  in  May  and  June. 

507.     FLORIDA  PINE  WARBLER. 

Larger  than  last,  and  decidedly  golden 
yellow  above  and  below,  which  is  more  ex- 


448  AMERICAN    WARBLERS. 

tended  along  flanks.   Female  about  as  bright 
as  male.     Breeds  in  Peninsula  Fla. 

508.     PALM  WARBLER. 
Smaller,    5.25;    brown    above;    rump, 
throat   and   under   tail-coverts,  yellow;   re- 
maining lower   portions,  white;  crown  and 
streaks,  chestnut;  wing  bands  and  tail  spots. 

Fig.  355 


Palm  Warbler.     1-3. 

white,  fig.  355.  Young,  with  no  chestnut 
on  crowrn  and  streaked  .with  dusk}7  below 
on  dull  white  ground;  under  tail  coverts, 
always  yellow.  Breeds  in  interior  of  British 
America  west  of  Hudson  Bay;  winters  from 
N.  C.,  south  through  Fia.,  Bahamas,  and 
many  of  the  West  Indias;  uncommon  during 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS.  449 

fall  migration  north  of  N.  C.,  east  of  Allegh- 
anies  and  in  N.  E.  Frequents  open  sections, 
feeding  much  on  ground.  Raises  and  lowers 
tail.  Alarm,  a  sharp  chirp;  song,  a  feeble 
trill.  Nest  placed  on  ground. 

Fig.  356 


Prairie  Warbler.     1-3. 

509.     YELLOW  PALM  WARBLER. 

Larger  than  last,  and  yellow  beneath 
in  all  stages.  Breeds  from  northern  N.  E. 
north  to  eastern  shore  of  Hudson  Bay; 
winters  from  N.  C.  to  southern  Fla.;  south 
in  Sept.,  north  in  April.  Common. 


450  AMERICAN    WARBLERS. 

510.     PRAIRIE  WARBLER. 

Smaller,  5;  golden  yellow  above,  yellow 
beneath  and  on  line  over  eye;  line  through 
eye,  spots  from  base  of  bill  .along  sides, 
black;  spots  on  middle  of  back,  chestnut; 


Yellow  Warbler.     1-3. 

two  yellow  wing  bands;  white  tail  spots, 
large,  fig.  356.  Female,  duller.  Breeds  from 
northern  Fla.  to  Mass,  (where  it  occurs 
chiefly  along  coast  area);  also  more  rarely 
west  to  111.,  Ind.,and  southern  Mich.;  winters 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS.  451 

in  Bahamas  and  West  Indies;  south  in  Aug., 
north  in  May.  Frequents  scrub  lands. 
Song,  a  rather  harsh  trill  of  about  six  notes 
given  in  an  ascending  scale.  Raises  and 
lowers  tail. 

511.     YELLOW  WARBLER. 

Size  of  last.  Golden  yellow  above;  clear 
yellow  beneath,  streaked  on  sides  and  breast 
with  rufous;  no  wing  bands,  nor  tail,  spots, 
but  feathers  of  wings  and  tail  margined  in- 
ternally with  yellow,  fig.  357.  Female 
duller  with  few  spots  beneath.  Young,  with 
no  streaks.  Breeds  throughout  eastern  N.  A. 
from  northern  Ga.  to  Barren  Ground  and  far 
West.  Winters  in  northern  S.  A.;  south  in 
Aug.,  north  in  April  and  May.  Frequents 
open  sections  in  the  vicinity  of  thickets. 
Song,  a  lively  warble,  consisting  of  about 
six  notes,  sweet  sweet  sweet  to  sweet-tee. 
Differs  from  that  of  Chestnut-sided  in  not 
having  a  pause  before  last  two  notes  and 
these  are  not  accented. 


452 


AMEBICAN    WAR1JLEKS. 

Fiji.  358 


Northern  Parula  Warbler,  rf  and 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS.  453 

512.  PARULA  WARBLER. 

Small,  4.75,  blue  above  and  on  side  of 
head;  throat  and  breast,  yellow,  the  latter 
with  a  band  of  blue  and  chestnut.  Female, 
duller.  Breeds  from  Va.  southward  to  Gulf 
States;  winters  in  Fla.?  south  in  Aug.  and 
Sept.,  north  in  April  and  May.  Frequents 
woodlands  and  builds  its  nest  in  "Spanish 
Moss."  Very  active. 

513.  NORTHERN  PARULA 

WARBLER. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  larger,  darker, 
more  chestnut  below,  especially  on  sides, 
fig.  358.  Breeds  from  Va.  north  to  Canada, 
but  confined  to  those  places  where  the  long 
usnea  grows  for  in  it  the  birds  nest.  Occurs 
everywhere  in  migration.  Song,  a  vehe- 
mently uttered,  sivee  swee  swee  swee  swee 
swee-zee.  the  last  two  syllables  being  given 
quickly,  the  last  ascending;  these  are  some- 
times ommitted. 


451 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS. 


Fig.  359 


Golden-winged  Warbler,  $  and 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS.  455 

514.     WESTERN  PARULA  WARBLER. 
Smaller  than   Parula,   but   color  as   in 
last.     Breeds  in   Mich,  and  Minn,  south  to 
Gulf.    This  and  last  winter  in  Bahamas  and 
West  Indies. 

515.     GOLDEN-WINGED  WARBLER. 

Larger,  5;  ash-blue  above;  line  over 
eye  and  below,  white;  throat  and  broad 
patch  on  side  of  head,  black;  patch  on  wing 
(sometimes  two  bands),  and  crown,  yellow. 
Female,  duller,  fig.  359.  Breeds  from  Mass. 
west  to  Mich.  South  to  Conn,  and  N.  J. 
along  mountains  to  Ga.  Frequents  low 
growths  and  is  local.  Song,  a  rather  drawl- 
ing zee,  repeated  from  four  to  six  times 
and  a  guttural  warble  seldom  heard;  alarm, 
sharp. 

516.     BREWSTER  WARBLER. 

Differs  from  last  in  the  absence  of  black 
throat  patch  and  in  having  a  very  narrow 
black  line  through  eye,  fig.  360.  Female 
with  throat  white  or  dusky,  always  with 


456  AMERICAN    WARBLERS. 

Fig.  360 


Brewstcr  Warbier. 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS.  457 

narrow  black  line  through  eye,  fig.  361. 
Breeds  in  Mass.,  Conn.,  N.  Y.,  Penn.?  N.  J., 
Md.  and  Va. ;  winter  range  unknown.  Song 
averaging  shorter  and  more  quickly  given 
than  in  last. 

517.     LAWRENCE  WARBLER. 

Differ  from  Golden-wing  in  having 
sides  of  head  and  lower  part  yellow,  but  the 
line  through  eye  is  narrow  as  in  last;  wing- 
bands,  white;  back,  green  as  in  next,  fig. 

362.  Breeds   in   N.  Y.  and   Conn.;   winter 
range  unknown. 

518.     BLUE-WINGED  WARBLER. 

Size  of  last.  Greenish  above,  below 
and  crown  yellow;  wings  bluish,  wing-bands 
white,  narrow  black  line  through  eye,  fig. 

363.  Female,  duller.     Breeds   from   Conn, 
west  to  Mich.,  rare  in   Mass.,  but  is  local; 
winters' in  Mex.  and  Central  America;  south 
in  Aug.  and  Sept;  north  in  May.     Song,  a 
wiry,  lisping  trill. 


458 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS. 


Fig.  301 


Brewster  Wnrblo^.  ?  arid  young. 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS.  459 

519.     BACHMAN  WARBLER. 

Smaller,  4.25 ;  olive-green  above,  yellow 
beneath  and  on  forehead;  breast,  patch  on 
crown  and  on  throat,  black,  a  little  white 
on  outer  tail  feathers;  no  wing-band.  Fe- 
innle,  much  duller,  plain  gray  below,  slightly 
yellow  on  crown.  Breeds  in  N.  C..  S.  C.,  and 
Mo.;  casually  in  Va.  and  Ark.;  winters  in 
Cuba,  north  in  March,  south  in  Aug.  Rare. 

520.  ORANGE-CROWNED  WARBLER. 
Larger,  5;  gray -olive  above,  yellow- 
gray  beneath,  nearly  concealed  orange  spot 
on  crown,  fig.  364.  Female  and  yonng, 
duller.  Occurs  in  woodlands.  Song,  a  low 
sweet  trill.  Breeds  from  Manatoba  north 
to  Alaska;  winters  sparingly  from  S.  C.  to 
Key  West,  Fla.,  more  commonly  in  Mex.; 
south  in  Sept.  and  Oct.,  north  in  April  and 
May.  Casual  in  N.  E. 

521.     NASHVILLE  WARBLER. 

Size  of  last,  greenish  above,  yellow  be- 
low, head  bluish,  white  eye  ring.  Female, 


460  AMERICAN    WARBLERS. 


Lawrence  Warbler. 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS.  461 

duller;  young,  very  dull.  Breeds  from 
Conn,  to  Canada  and  west  to  111.;  winters  in 
Mex.;  south  in  Aug.  and  Sept.;  north  in 
May.  Frequents  open  spots  on  margin  of 
woodlands.  Song,  four  or  five  harsh,  quite 
rapidly  given  notes,  ewe,  followed  by  four 
in  quite  a  different  time,  a  kind  of  trill,  de, 
ending  abruptly,  as  if  unfinished,  uttered 
as  bird  perches  high  in  tree.  A  restless 
species. 

522.  TENNESSEE  WARBLER. 
Size  of  last;  greenish  above,  white  be- 
low, head  bluish,  slight  white  line  over  eye, 
fig.  365.  Breeds  in  northern  N.  E.  north  to 
Labrador,  uncommon  during  migration  east 
of  Alleghanies  and  Hudson  River  Valley; 
winters  in  Central  America,  south  in  Aug., 
north  in  May.  Song,  a  little  like  last,  but 
first  part  in  more  divided  and  last  shriller. 

523.    PROTHONOTARY  WARBLER. 

Larger,  5.40;  greater  part  of  head  and 
beneath,  rich  yellow;  back,  orange  green; 


462  AMEKICAN    WARBLEKS. 

Fig.  303 


Blue-winged  Warbler,  ^. 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS.  463 

rump  and  wings,  bluish;  spots  on  tail,  white; 
no  wing  bands.  Female,  duller.  Breeds 
in  river  bottom  lands  from  Fla.  to  Va. 
west  to  Mississippi  Valley.  Casual  in  N. 
E.  and  New  Brunswick;  winters  in  northern 
S.  A.  south  in  Aug.  and  Sept.,  north  in 
April.  Song,  loud  and  not  unlike  the  peet 

.    Fig.  364 


Orange  crowned  Warbler. 

tweet  of  the  Spotted  Sandpiper;  also  gives 
a  flight  song  which  is  a  low,  sweet  warble. 

524.     WORM-EATING  WARBLER. 

Size  of  last;  greenish  above,  head  and 
beneath,  buff;  stripe  on  sides  of  head  and 
behind  eye,  black,  fig.  366.  Breeds  from  S. 
C.  to  southern  N.  Y.  and  Tnd.;  casual  in 


464  AMERICAN    WARBLERS. 

Mass.,  N.  Y.,  Mich,  etc.;  winters  in  Fla., 
Bahamas,  West  Indies,  and  Mex.  Song;,  a 
feeble  trill.  Frequents  low  lands,  nesting 
on  ground. 

525.     SWAINSON  WARBLER. 

Size    of    last;    olive    above,    yellowish- 
white  beneath;  top  of  head,  brown;  line  over 

".  865 


Tennessee  Warbler. 

eye,  buff.  Frequents  swamps.  Breeds  from 
Va.  west  to  Ind.;  south  to  northwestern 
Fla.  and  La.;  winters  in  Jamaica,  south  in 
Sept.,  north  in  April. 

526.     KENTUCKY  WARBLER. 
5.50;  greenish  above,  yellow   beneath; 
portion  of  top  of  head  and  patch  on  its  side. 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS. 


465 


Fig.  366.— Worm-eating  Warbler. 


466 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS. 


black,  fig.  367.  Female,  a  little  duller. 
Breeds  in  Mississippi  Valley  north  of  Ohio 
and  east  to  western  N.  C.;  casual  north  to 
Mass. 

527.     CONNECTICUT  WARBLER. 

5. 50;    wings,    long;    dark    olive-green 
above,    yellow    beneath;    head,  throat   and 

Fig.  367 


Kentucky  Warbler.     1-3. 

breast,  ash-gray,  mixed  with  black;  eye- 
ring,  white,  fig.  368.  Female,  ashy  of  head 
and  breast  gray-brown.  Breeding  range 
as  far  as  known  Minn,  and  Manitoba; 
winter  range  unknown.  South  in  Sept.  and 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS.  467 

Oct.,  when  common  in  Mass,  to  N.  J.  and 
Bahamas;  north  in  May.  Frequents  swampy 
thickets.  Song1,  a  low  sweet  warble;  alarm, 
a  very  sharp  note.  Raises  and  lowers  tail. 

528.     MOURNING  WARBLER. 

Smaller  than  last,  wings  shorter,  differs 
otherwise    in    absence    of    eye-ring   and    in 

Fig.  368 


Connecticut  Warbler.     1-3. 


having  more  black  on  breast,  fig.  369. 
Breeds  from  northern  N.  E.,  west  to  Mich., 
north  to  Canada;  winters  in  north  western 
S.  A.,  south  in  Aug.  and  Sept.,  north  in 
May.  Frequents  thickets  on  margins  of 


408  AMERICAN    WARBLERS. 

woodlands;  very  rare  along  Atlantic  coast. 
Song,  loud,  clear  and  pleasing,  suggesting 
that  of  the  Water  Thrush. 

529.     MARYLAND  YELLOW-THROAT. 

Size  of  last;  wings  short  and  rounded, 
gray-green  above,  conspicuous   black  mask 

Fis:.  369 


Mourn  log  Warbler. 

on  face  which  extends  back  on  side  of  head, 
but  not  into  a  point  on  neck  (white  mar- 
gined behind);  throat  nnd  upper  breast,  yel- 
low; reminder  beneath,  whitish.  Female, 
without  mask  and  not  as  yellow.  Breeds 
on  Atlantic  coast  of  II.  S.  from  Md.,  rarely 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS.  469 

from  Mass.;  winters  in  Bahamas.  Song,  a 
varied  warble.  Frequents  dry  thickets, 
especially  in  winter. 

530.    NORTHERN  YELLOW-THROAT. 

Larger    than    last,    yellow,    extending 
into  a  point  on  side  of  neck,  fig.  370.    Breeds 

.     Fig:.  370 


Northern  Yellow-throat.     1-4. 

from  N.  E.  west  to  Mich.,  north  to  Canada, 
south  to  Md.;  winters  from  N.  C.  south  to 
West  Indies;  south  in  Oct.,  north  in  April. 
Frequents  swampy  thickets.  Song,  witch-i- 
ty,  repeated  rather  slowly  five  or  six  times; 
a  warbling  flight  song,  a  continuous  ratch- 


470  AMERICAN    WARBLERS. 

like  sound,  given  occasionally,  probably  by 
both  sexes;  alarm,  harsh. 

531.     SOUTHERN   YELLOW-THROAT. 

Differs    from    last    in    having    colors 
darker;  deeper  yellow  below;  sides,  brown- 


Hooded  Warbler. 

ish.     Breeds    from    southern   Va.   south    to 
Fla.;  winters  from  N.  C  to  Key  West,  Fla. 

532.     HOODED  WARBLER. 

Larger,  525;  black  hood  covering  head 
leaving  a  yellow  mask  on  face;  greenish 
above,  yellow  below;  tail,  spots  white,  fig. 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS.  471 

371.  Female,  duller.  Breeds  in  eastern 
N.  A.  from  southern  Conn,  to  Fla.;  winters, 
in  Central  America;  south  in  Sept.,  north 
in  April.  Frequents  high  thickets  in 
swampy  places,  notably  rhododendrons. 
Song,  loud  and  clear,  not  unlike  that  of 
Louisiana  Water  Thrush;  alarm,  sharp. 


Wilson  Warbler.     1-3. 

533.     WILSON  WARBLER. 

Smaller,  5;  golden-green  above,  green- 
yellow  below;  crown,  black,  fig.  372.  Fe- 
male, less  black  on  crown.  Breeds  from 
extreme  northern  N.  E.  north  to  Labrador; 
winters  in  Central  America;  south  in  Aug. 
and  Sept.,  north  in  April  and  May.  Very 


472  AMERICAN    WARBLERS. 

active,  frequenting  low  growths,  especially 
willows.  Song,  a  trill,  sometimes  a  low 
warble. 

534.     CANADIAN  WARBLER. 

Larger,  5.50,  bluish  above,  yellow  be- 
neath;   spots   on   crown;  patch  behind  eye 

Fis:.  378 


Canadian  Warbler.     1-3. 

and  necklace  of  spots  on  breast  (without 
pendents),  black,  figs.  373  and  374.  Female, 
duller.  Frequents  swampy  thickets.  Song, 
a  warble  of  from  three  to  six  disconnected 
notes.  Breeds  from  elevated  sections  of 
Mass,  south  along  mountains  to  N.  C.;  west 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS.  473 

Fie.  374 


474  CHATS. 

to  Central  Minn.;  north  to  Labrador.  Win- 
ters in  north-western  S.  A.,  south  in  Aug. 
and  Sept.,  north  in  May. 

535.     REDSTART. 

Size  of  last;  black,  with  salmon  patches 
on  wings,  sides,  and  tail,  fig.  375.  Female 
and  young  male,  grayer  with  salmon  re- 
placed by  €yellow.  Breeds  from  N.  C.  and 
Ark.  north  to  Hudson  Bay,  west  to  Utah; 
winters  in  the  Bahamas  and  West  Indies; 
casually  in  S.  C.;  south  in  Aug.  and  Sept., 
north  in  May.  Restless  constantly  flitting 
about  and  spreading  tail.  Song,  a  sharp 
trill-like  warble  of  four  to  six  notes,  given 
rapidly  and  ending  abruptly.  Frequents 
margins  of  woodlands. 

CHATS. 

Large  birds;  wing  short,  rounded;  tail, 
long,  rounded;  bill,  short  and  rather  thick. 
Sexes,  similar.  Songs  varied,  often  mimick- 
ing those  of  other  birds. 


AMERICAN    WARBLERS. 

Fig-.  375 


475 


Redstart. 


476 


CHATS. 


536.     YELLOW-BREASTED  CHAT. 

8.25;  greenish  above,  yellow  below; 
spot  in  front  of  eye,  white;  line  in  this  from 
bill  to  eye,  black,  fig.  376.  Breeds  from 
Mass,  west  to  southern  Mich,  and  Wis.  south 

Fig.  376 


Yellow-breasted  Chat. 

to  N.  C.;  winters  in  Central  America;  south 
in  Aug.,  north  in  May.  Frequents  thickets 
and  lo\v  growths;  shy  and  retiring,  oftener 
heard  then  seen.  Habits,  somewhat  wren- 
like,  drops  wings  and  raises  tail.  Notes 
much  varied,  whistles,  chucklings,  trills  and 


WOOD    WAGTAILS. 


47' 


Oriole-like  scolds;  flight  song,  a  series  of 
whistling,  tutes,  given  as  the  bird  drops 
downward  in  jerks  with  wings  thrown  up- 
ward, tail  down,  and  legs  dangling. 

Fig.  377 


WOOD     WAGTAILS. 

Slender  birds,  with  long  wings  and 
square  tails,  that  are  often  moved  up  and 
down.  Nests  on  ground.  Sexes,  similar. 

537.     OVENBIRD. 

6;  pale  olive-green  above,  crown  old 
gold  color  margined  with  black;  white 


478  WOOD    WAGTAILS. 

beneath  streaked  with  black,  fig.  377.  Breeds 
from  Va.  west  to  Kan.,  north  to  Hudson 
Bay;  winters  from  middle  Fla.  to  Bahamas, 
West  Indies,  Mex.  and  Central  America; 
south  in  Sept.,  north  in  April.  Frequents 
open  woodlands.  Song,  techee,  repeated  five 
or  six  times  with  increasing  volume;  flight 

Fig.  878 


Water  Thrush.     1-5. 

song,  a  rapidly  given  sweet  warble,  often 
heard  at  night.  Walks  much  on  ground  or 
on  large  lower  limbs  of  trees. 

538.     WATER  THRUSH. 

Size  of  last,  dark  olive-brown  above; 
line  over  eye  and  beneath,  decidedly  pale 
green;  streaked  below  with  black,  fig.  378. 
Breeds  from  northern  N.E.  north  to  Hudson 


WHITE    WAGTAILS.  479 

Bay;  winters  in  Key  West,  Bahamas,  West 
Indies,  Central  America  and  northern  S.  A.; 
south  in  Aug.  and  Sept.,  north  in  May. 
Frequents  swampy  locations  near  water 
into  which  it  wades  sandpiper-like.  Song, 

Fig.  879 


Louisiana  Water  Thrush. 

several    loud,    clear   notes,   followed    by    a 
lower  sweet  warble;  alarm,  a  sharp  chirp. 

539.  GRENNELL  WATER  THRUSH. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  larger,  more 
gray  above  and  less  green  below,  sometimes 
quite  white.  Breeds  in  western  N.  A.  from 


480  WOOD    WAGTAILS. 

Minn,  to  Alaska;  rare  on  Atlantic  coast 
States  from  N.  Y.  south;  winters  in  West 
Indies  and  Central  America,  migration  as 
in  last. 

540.    LOUISIANA  WATER  THRUSH. 

Differs  from  Water  Thrush  in  being;  a 
little  larger,  decidedly  white  over  eye,  white 
or  buffy  beneath,  flanks  and  under  tail 
coverts  always  buffy,  fig.  379.  Song,  a 
rather  uniform  melody  terminating  more 
softly.  Breeds  from  southern  N.  E.  west  to 
southern  Minn.,  south  to  Gulf  States;  casual 
in  Mass.;  winters  in  Central  America,  Baha- 
mas and  West  Indies;  south  in  Sept.,  north 
in  March  and  April. 

541.     WHITE  WAGTAIL. 

7;  wings  and  tail,  long;  bill,  slender; 
forehead,  sides  of  neck,  beneath  and  outer 
tail  feathers,  white;  crown  hind  neck  and 
throat,  black;  back,  ashy.  Breeds  in  Europe, 
accidental  in  Greenland. 


PIPITS.  481 

542.     PIPIT. 

6.50,  slender,  wings  and  tail  long,  olive- 
gray  above,  streaked  with  darker;  cinnamon 
butt'  beneath,  streaked  with  black  on  breast 
and  sides;  outer  tail  feathers,  white,  fig.  380. 
Breeds  from  Newfoundland  and  mountains 
of  Colorado,  northward;  winters  from  N.  C. 

Fig.  380 


Pipit.     1-3. 

to  Mex.;  south  in  Sept.  and  Oct.,  north  in 
May.  Frequents  open  fields,  marshes  and 
beaches.  Gregarious.  Call,  a  low  double 
note  like,  pipit.  Flight,  undulating  and 

erratic. 

543.     MEADOW  PIPIT. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  darker  above 
and  below,  and  more  heavily  streaked  above. 
Europe;  accidental  in  Greenland. 


482  SWALLOWS. 

544.     SPRAGUE  PIPIT. 

Smaller  than  Pipit,  paler  beneath  with 

narrow  streakings  and  paler  above.    Breeds 

on    interior    plains    of  N.  A.  from    Eastern 

Montana    north    to    Manatoba;    winters   in 


Purple  MartiD. 

Tex.,  Mex.  and  southern  La.;  rare  in  N.  C. 
Flight  song,  a  clear,  harmonious  melody, 
given  as  bird  hovers  in  air. 

SWALLOWS. 

Wings,  long;  bills,  short;  tails,  variable 
but  often  forked.     Eggs,  white. 


SWALLOWS.  483 

545.     PURPLE  MARTIN. 

Large.  8.25;  tail,  somewhat  forked; 
appearing  black  throughout,  fig.  381.  Fe- 
male, lighter  above,  nearly  white  beneath. 
Breeds  throughout  temperate  N.  A.;  winters 
in  Mex.  and  northern  S.  A.;  south  in  Sept., 

Fig.  382 


CM  Swallow. 

north  in  April.  Nests  in  holes  of  trees  and 
bird  boxes;  eggs,  unspotted.  Flight  strong, 
but  heavy,  often  ascends  high  in  air.  Notes 
loud,  clear,  and  melodious. 

546.     FLORIDA  MARTIN. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  smaller  and 
darker;    female,    more     grayish     beneath. 


484  SWALLOWS. 

Breeds  in   middle  and  southern  Fla.;  north 
in  March. 

547.     CUBAN   MARTIN. 

Differs  from  last  in  having  a  more 
deeply  forked  tail;  female  with  white  spot 
on  abdomen. 

Fig.  383 


Bank  Swallow. 

548.     CLIFF  SWALLOW. 

Smaller,  5.75;  tail,  square;  above  and 
spot  of  breast,  deep  steel  blue;  crescent  on 
forehead  and  rump,  red-buff;  throat,  chest- 
nut; white  beneath,  fig.  382.  Breeds  through- 
out .the  greater  part  of  N.  A.;  winters  in 
S.  A.;  south  in  Sept.,  north  in  April.  Nests 
in  communities  under  eaves  of  buildings 


SWALLOWS.  485 

and  on  cliffs;  eggs,  spotted.    Notes,  a  musical 
chatter.     Flight,  rather  heavy. 

549.     CUBAN  CLIFF  SWALLOW. 
Differs  from  last  in  having  throat  pale 
and  rump  deep  chestnut.      Cuba,  resident; 

accidental  on  Fla.  Keys. 

• 

Fi£.  384 


Rough-winged  Swallow. 

550.     BANK  SWALLOW. 

Small,  5.25;  brown  above,  white  be- 
neath, band  of  brown  crossing  breast,  tail 
slightly  forked,  fig.  383.  Breeds  through 
northern  hemisphere;  in  N.  A.  from  Ga. 
and  northern  Mex.  north  to  Arctic;  winters 
in  S.  A.;  south  in  Sept.,  north  in  April  and 


486 


SWALLOWS. 


May.  Nest  in  communities  in  holes  of  sand 
banks;  eggs,  unspotted.  Notes,  a  single 
twitter.  Flight,  quite  weak. 

551.     ROUGH-WINGED  SWALLOW. 

Differs    from    last    in    having    throat 
brown,  fig.  384.     Breeds  in  temperate  N.  A. 

Fig.  885 


Tree  Swallow. 

from  Central  America  north  to  southern 
Conn.,  western  Mass,  and  British  Columbia; 
winters  in  Central  America;  south  in  Sept., 
north  in  May.  Nests  in  holes  of  bridges, 
banks,  buildings,  etc.,  seldom  in  communi- 
ties. Note,  a  feeble  twitter.  Flight^  not 
very  strong. 


SWALLOWS.; 


487 


552.     TREE  SWALLOW. 

Larger,  6;  tail,  with  medium  fork;  blue 
above,  white  below,  fig.  385.  Female,  dul- 
ler; young,  brown  above.  Breeds  from  Va. 
and  Cal.,  north  into  British  America;  win- 

Fisr.  386 


Barn  Swallow. 

ters  from  S..C.  through  Gulf  States  and 
occasionally  further  north;  south  in  Sept. 
and  Oct.,  north  in  April.  Nests  in  holes  of 
trees,  bird  boxes,  or  in  cavities  about  build- 
ings. Flight,  easy,  and  rather  graceful. 


488  SWALLOWS. 

Song,  a  pleasant  chatter.  Gregarious  in 
autumn,  congregating  by  thousands  on 
seashore. 

553.     BAHAMA  SWALLOW. 

Size  of  last,  green  above,  white  below; 
tail,  more  deeply  forked.  Female,  duller. 
New  Providence,  Andros,  and  other  islands 
of  Bahamas;  accidental  in  Fla.  Song,  a 
musical  twitter.  Nests  in  holes  of  trees  and 
in  cavities  about  buildings. 

554.  BARN  SWALLOW. 
Larger,  7;  steel  blue  above;  forehead, 
throat  and  breast,  chestnut;  remaining 
lower  parts,  rich  brown;  tail,  deeply  forked 
and  crossed  by  a  band  of  white  spots,  fig. 
386.  Female,  duller.  Breeds  throughout 
N.  A.  from  Arctic  to  Gulf  and  into  Mex., 
excepting  Fla.;  winters  in  S.  A.;  south  in 
Sept.,  north  in  April.  Nests  inside  build- 
ings and  rarely  beneath  their  eaves.  Song, 
a  pleasing,  bubbling,  joyous  melody.  Flight, 
very  graceful  and  easy. 


WAXWINGS.  489 

555.     EUROPEAN  SWALLOW. 

Differs  from  last  in  having  a  dark  band 
across  breast.  Europe;  accidental  in  Green- 
land. 

WAX  WIN  GS. 

Wings  long,  pointed,  folding  beyond 
tip  of  short  square  tail.  Plumage  very 


Cedar  Waxwing.     1-4. 

smooth  and  blended.     Nests  in  trees,  eggs, 
spotted. 

556.     CEDAR  WAXWING. 
7.25;     crested;     wood -brown     above; 
lighter  on  upper  tail  coverts;  black  on  chin, 


490  WAXWINGS. 

brown  on  breast,  lighter  behind  this,  white 
on  under  tail  coverts;  tip  of  tail  yellow; 
secondaries  tipped  with  red  (often  absent), 
fig.  387.  Breeds  in  temperate  N.  A.  from 
Va.  north  to  Hudson  Bay;  in  winter  wander- 
ing irregularly  south  to  Fla.  Gregarious. 


Fig.  388 


Bohemian  WaxwiDg.     1-4. 

Flight,  strong,  steady  direct  with  a  peculiar 
flutter  of  wings.  Note,  a  rather  low,  his- 
sing chirp. 

557.     BOHEMIAN  WAXWING. 

Differs  from  last  in   being  larger,  7.75; 
grayer,   yellow    or    white  lines  on    tips    of 


TANAGERS.  491 

wing  feathers,  white  spot  on  wing,  chestnut 
under  tail  coverts,  fig.  388.  Breeds  in 
coniferous  forests  of  northern  Hemisphere; 
wandering  south  in  winter,  irregularly  to 
northern  U.  S.  Notes,  similar  to  those  of 
last,  but  louder. 

Fis.  389 


Scarlet  Tanager.     1-4. 

TANAGERS. 

Rather    small    birds  with   thick,  finch- 
like  bills  and  long  wings. 

558.     SCARLET  TANAGER. 
7.50,  scarlet;  wings  and  tail,  black,  fig. 
389.     Female  and  winter  male,  scarlet,  re- 


492  TANAGERS. 

placed  by  greenish.  Breeds  in  eastern  U.S. 
from  Va.  north  into  southern  British  Pro- 
vinces; winters,  in  northern  S.  A.;  south  in 
Sept.  and  Oct.,  north  in  May.  Frequents 
open  woodlands.  Flight,  swift  and  direct. 
Song,  loud  and  distinct,  chip  cherry,  cherry 
chip,  varied  somewhat,  sometimes  sweet  and 
pleasant,  but  often  marred  by  a  burred  in- 
tonation; alarm,  chip  cher,  accented  on  first 
syllable,  the  last  a  little  prolonged,  some- 
what burred.  Nests,  slight  structures  placed 
in  trees;  eggs,  green,  spotted. 

559.  LOUISIANA  TANAGER. 
Differs  from  last  in  having  back  black, 
two  bands  on  wing,  hind  neck,  rump,  upper 
tail  coverts  and  beneath,  yellow.  Female, 
differs  chiefly  in  having  yellow  wing-bands. 
Breeds  in  western  U.  S;  accidental  in  N.  E., 
N.  Y.  and  La.;  winters  in  Mex. 

560.     SUMMER  TANAGER. 

Size  of  last;  dull  red  throughout.     Fe- 
male, yellow-green.    Breeds  in  eastern  U.  S. 


SHRIKES. 


493 


from  southern  N.  J.  south  to  Gulf  States; 
casual  as  far  north  as  Nova  Scotia;  winters 
in  northern  S.  A.;  south  in  Sept.,  north  in 
April.  Song,  loud  and  clear. 

SHRIKES. 

Bill,   large    and    hooked;    wings   short, 
tail  long  and  rounded. 

Fig.  890 


Northern  Shrike. 

561.  NORTHERN  SHRIKE. 
Large,  10;  pale  gray  above;  white  be- 
neath, where  finely  banded  with  black; 
patch  on  side  of  head,  black;  markings  on 
back,  patch  on  wing  and  tips  of  tail,  white, 
fig.  390.  Young  much  obscured  above  with 


494  SHRIKES. 

rusty.  Breeds  in  northern  N.  A.  from 
Labrador  to  Alaska,  wandering  in  winter 
somewhat  irregularly  as  far  south  as  Va. 
and  Central  Gal.  Song,  a  loud,  clear  and 
varied  melody;  note  of  annoyance,  a  harsh 
cry.  Frequents  open  fields.  Flight,  swift. 

Fig.  891 


Loggerhead  Shrike.     1-6. 

direct,  .but  with  long,  sweeping  undulations; 
always  raises  to  alight.     Sits  very  upright. 

562.     LOGGERHEAD  SHRIKE. 

Smaller,  9.25,  differs  from  last  in  having 
head  patches  meeting  on  forehead  in  a  nar- 
row line  and  in  being  clear  white  beneath, 


VIREOS.  495 

fig.  391.     Resident  in  coast  districts  of  S.  C. 
and  Ga.,  west  to  La.  and  all  of  Fla. 

553.     NORTHERN  LOGGERHEAD. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  paler  above 
and  slightly  gray  beneath.  Breeds  over  a 
greater  portion  of  eastern  U.  S.  from  N.  C. 
and  eastern  Kan.  north  to  the  more  south- 


Red-eyed  Vireo. 

ern    British   Provinces;  south   in  winter  to 
La.  and  Tex. 

VIREOS. 

Small,  arboreal  birds,  with  large  heads 
and  bills;  rather  deliberate  movements; 
food,  insects,  chiefly  caterpillars.  Colors^ 
mostly  plain.  Nests,  suspended  from  a 


496  VIKEOS. 

forked  twig;  eggs,  white,  usually  sparingly 
spotted. 

564.  RED-EYED  V1REO. 
Large,  6.25;  top  of  head,  gray;  dark  line 
through  eye,  white  line  over  it,  boardered 
by  a  black  line  above;  gray  green  above, 
white  below,  fig.  392.  Breeds  throughout 
temperate  N.  A.  from  Fla.  into  British  Pro- 
vinces; winters  in  northern  S.  A,;  south  in 
Sept.  and  Oct.,  north  in  May.  Frequents 
woodlands.  Song,  a  monotonous  repetition 
of  the  syllables,  hear  me,  see  me,  hear  it; 
heed  it;  sweer  william,  sweer  it,  tweet  tweet 
tweet  tweet,  quickly  given  at  the  rate  of 
thirty-six  or  more  notes  to  the  minute;  also 
the  common  Vireo  scold. 

565.     BLACK-WHISKERED  VIREO. 

Larger  than  last,  bill  longer,  dark  lines 
on  head  not  as  clear,  and  a  slight  maxillary 
line  of  dusky.  Breeds  in  the  Bahamas  and 
southern  Fla.;  winters  in  West  Indies;  north 
in  April.  Song,  whip  torn  Jcelley — a  decided 


VIREOS.  497 

accent   on   kelly — phue,  but  varying   some- 
what.    Nest  often  placed  low. 

566.     PHILADELPHIA  VIREO. 

Smaller,  5;  grayer  than  Red-eye,  lines 
on  head  distinct;  strongly  tinged,  with 
yellow  beneath.  Breeds  from  northern  N. 
E.  north  into  British  Provinces;  winters  in 

Fig.  393 


Warbling  Vireo. 

Central  America;  south  in  Sept.  and  Oct., 
north  in  May.  Rare  east  of  Connecticut 
River  and  Alleghanies.  Song,  similar  to 
Red-eye. 

567.     WARBLING  VIREO. 

Larger  than  last,  5.40,  grayest  of  our 
Vireos,  slight  whitish  line  over  eye,  white 
beneath  with  a  slight  yellow  tinging,  fig. 


49-8 


VIKEOS. 


393.  Breeds  in  eastern  N.  A.  from  Fla. 
north  into  British  Provinces;  winters  in 
Mex.;  south  in  Sept.,  north  in  April.  Fre- 
quents open  groves  or  ornamental  trees  in 
villages.  Song,  a  continuous  warble  of 
about  six  notes,  ending  abruptly.  Nest, 
placed  high  in  tree. 

Fig.  394 


Yellow-throated  Vireo. 

568.      YELLOW-GREEN  VIREO. 

Greener  above  than  last  and  much 
more  yellow  beneath,  especially  on  sides 
and  under  tail  coverts.  Mex.  and  south- 
ward; accidental  in  Quebec. 


VIREOS.  499 

569.     YELLOW-THROATED  VIREO. 

6;  white  wing  bands,  green  above  and 
on  sides  of  head;  line  over  eye,  throat  and 
breast,  lemon-yellow;  remaining  lower  parts, 
white,  fig.  394.  Breeds  in  eastern  N.  A. 
from  northern  Fla.,  north  to  British  Provin- 

Fisr.  395 


Solitary  Vireo. 

ces;  winters  in  Colombia,  S.  A;  south  in 
Sept.  and  Oct.,  north  in  May.  Frequents 
margins  of  woodlands,  orchards  and  open 
groves.  Song,  do  you  hear  me;  do  you  see 
me;  hear  I  am,  given  with  emphatic  energy, 
slightly  burred,  repeated  eight  or  ten  times 
a  minute.  Nest,  covered  with  lichens. 


500  YIKEOS. 

570.     SOLITARY  VIREO. 

Smaller,  5.50;  top  of  head,  dark  slate; 
back,  dark  green;  ring  around  eye  and  line 
from  it  to  bill,  white;  wing  bands  and  sides, 
tinged  with  yellow,  fig.  395.  Breeds  locally 
in  southern  N.  E.,  but  more  commonly  from 
northern  N.  E.,  north  into  British  Provin- 
ces; winters  in  Gulf  States,  south  into  Cen- 
tral America.  Song,  shorter  and  lower  than 
last,  and  given  with  less  energy;  a  peculiar 
note  like  swe-e-ive,  usually  characterizes  this 
song.  Frequents  woodlands. 

571.     MOUNTAIN  VIREO. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  larger,  darker 
with  more  gray  on  back.  Breeds  in  south- 
ern Alleghanies  from  Md.  to  N.  C.;  winters 
in  lowlands  of  the  eastern  Gulf  and  south 
Atlantic  States. 

572.     PLUMBEOUS  VIREO. 

Differs  from  last  in  having  back  wholly 
gray  and  less  yellow  beneath.  Rocky 


V1KEOS.  501 

mountains  of  U.  S.  and  mountains  of  Mex., 
accidental  in  N.  Y. 

573.     WHITE-EYED  VIREO. 

Smaller,  5.25;  green  above,  white  be- 
neath, much  tinged  with  yellow;  line  from 
bill  over  eye,  eye-ring  and  wing  bands, 
sulphur  yellow;  iris  white,  fig.  396.  Breeds 

Fig.  396 


White-eyed  Vireo. 

in  eastern  U.  S.  from  northern  Fla.  and 
Tex.,  north  to  Mass,  and  southern  Wis.; 
winters  from  S.  C.  to  Central  America, 
south  in  Sept.,  north  in  May.  Song,  varied 
detached  notes  given  emphatically,  I-will- 
give-you-a-lick,  is  an  example,  sometimes 
these  notes  are  run  together  as  a  low,  con- 
tinuous song. 


502  VIREOS. 

574.  KEY  WEST  VIREO. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  larger,  much 
grayer  above  and  on  sides  of  head,  fig.  397. 
Breeds  from  Middle  Fla.  south  to  Key  West. 

575.  BERMUDAN  VIREO. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  mnch  more 
gray  with  little  yellow  on  sides.  Bermuda 
Islands. 


.  397 


.V 
Key  West  Vireo. 

576.     BELL  VIREO. 

Smaller,  4.75;  head,  gray-brown;  back, 
dull  olive  green;  line  over  eye,  ring  around 
it,  wing-bands  and  beneath,  white,  much 
tinged  with  yellow  below.  Breeds  in  prairie 
districts-of  Mississippi  Valley  from  southern 


MOCKINGBIRDS  AND  THRASHERS. 


503 


Minn,    to    northern    111.,   south    to    eastern 
Tex.;  winters  in  Mex.,  accidental  in  Mass. 

MOCKINGBIRDS  AND  THRASHERS. 

Large  birds,  with  short  wings  and  long 
unhanded  tails;  bills,  slender;  sexes,  similar. 

Fig.  398 


Mockingbird.     1-5. 

577.     MOCKINGBIRD. 

Larger,  10;  ashy-gray  above,  white 
beneath;  large  patch  on- wing,  and  tips  of 
outer  tail  feathers,  white;  iris,  pale  yellow, 


504        MOCKINGBIRDS  AND  THRASHERS. 

fig.  398.  Resident  from  Mex.  north  to 
Mass  and  Cal.  Frequents  thickets.  Song, 
loud,  clear  and  varied,  often  mimicing  songs 
of  other  birds.  Nests  in  bushes;  eggs, 
spotted. 

Fig.  399 


Catbird. 

578.     CAT  BIRD. 

Smaller,  9;  dark  plumbeous;  top  of 
head  and  tail,  black;  under  tail  coverts, 
chestnut,  fig.  399.  Breeds  in  eastern  U.  S. 
from  Gulf  States  north  into  British  Provin- 


MOCKINGBIRDS  AND  THRASHERS.         505 

ces,  west  to  Rockies;   winters  in   southern 
States,    casually    north   to   mass.;  south  in 
Sept.   and   Oct.,  north  in   April       Fig.  400 
and    May.     Frequents    thickets, 
often  near  dwellings.    Song,  rich 
and  varied,  sometimes  mimicing 
other  birds;  notes,  rather  deliber- 
ately given.     Nests  in  thickets, 
uses  grape  vine  bark  out  ward  y; 
eggs,  green-blue. 

579.    KEY  WEST  CATBIRD. 

Smaller   than   last;    darker, 
but  with  forehead  srrayish.    Key 

Brown 
West,  Fla.  Thrasher.  1-6 

580.     BROWN  THRASHER. 

Larger,  11.50;  bright  red-brown  above; 
wing-bands  and  beneath,  buff-white;  streak- 
ed on  side  of  neck,  breast  and  sides  with 
brown,  fisr.  400.  Breeds  throughout  eastern 
U.  S.;  winters  from  N.  C.  southward  to  Fla.; 
south  in  Oct.,  north  in  April  and  May. 


•50(3  WRENS. 

Frequents  dry  thickets.  Song,  given  when 
perched  in  an  elevated  situation,  loud  and 
varied  each  phrase  repeated,  like  plant  it 
plant  it,  hoe  it  hoe  it,  dig  it  dig  it,  etc.  Sits 
upright  when  singing.  Nests  placed  on 
ground  or  near  it,  built  of  sticks,  lined  with 

Flg\  401 


Carolina  Wren. 

rootlets,  eggs   pale   blue,  sprinkled   thickly 
with  rufous. 

WRE  NS. 

Small  birds,  with  slender  bills,  brown 
above,  white  below;  usually  banded  on 
tail  and  wings  with  black,  often  keep 
tail  erect. 


W-JJKNS.  507 


581.  CAROLINA  WEEN. 
Large,  5.25;  rust -brown  above;  line 
from  bill  over  eye,  down  neck,  buffy  white; 
narrow  line  over  this,  black;  throat  and 
beneath,  white,  fig.  401.  Breeds  from 
northern  Fla.  north  to  southern  N.  E., 
rarely  to  Mass.,  west  to  Middle  Kan.;  winters 

Fi<r.  402 


from  N.  C.  southward,  sometimes  north  to 
Mass.  Frequents  low  thickets.  Song,  loud, 
clear  and  varied ;  often  mimics  other  birds. 

582.     FLORIDA  WREN. 
Differs  from  last  in  being  larger  and 
much  darker  both  above  and  below.     Penin- 
sula of  Florida. 


508  WRENS. 

583.  BEWICK  WREN. 
5.50;  tail  long,  plain  brown  above;  line 
over  eye,  conspicuous  spot  on  tail,  and  be- 
neath, white,  fig.  402.  Breeds  throughout 
eastern  U.  S.  from  N.  J.  west  to  southern 
Mich.,  south  to  northern  Fla.  and  Tex.; 
winters  in  southern  portion  of  range;  south 

Fig.  403 


House  Wren.     1-4. 

in  Sept.;  north  in  May,  accidental  in  N.  H. 
Frequents  open  sections.  Nests  in  holes 
about  buildings.  Song,  a  continuous,  bub- 
bling melody. 

584.     HOUSE  WREN. 
Smaller,  5,  dark  red-brown  above,  white 
beneath,    in     addition    to    wings    and    tail, 


WRENS.  5U9 

flanks  barred  with  dusky,  fig.  403.  Breeds 
throughout  eastern  U.  S.  north  into  Canada; 
winters  from  N.  C.  through  Gulf  States; 
south  in  Sept.  and  Oct.,  north  in  May.  Fre- 
quents orchards.  Nests  in  holes  of  trees 
and  about  buildings.  Song,  a  continuous. 

Fig.  404 


Winter  Wren. 

bubbling  melody.     In  autumn  and  winter, 
seeks  the  shelter  of  brush  heaps  and  thickets. 

585.     WESTERN  HOUSE  WREN. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  much  paler 
with  back  usually  barred  with  dusky.  Breeds 
throughout  western  U.  S.  and  Canada  east 
to  111.;  winters  in  Mex. 


•510  WRENS. 

586.  WINTER  WREN. 
Differs  from  last  in  being  smaller,  4.10, 
pale  brown  beneath,  and  much  spotted  and 
banded  with  black;  upper  back  and  sides 
of  neck  spotted  with  white. -fig.  404.  Breeds 
in  northern  portion  of  eastern  U.  S.  and 
Canada,  from  western  Mass,  and  south  along 
Alleghanies,  to  N.  C.  west  to  Mich.;  winters 
from  Mass,  to  northern  Fla.,and  along  Gulf 
coast  to  Tex.;  south  in  Sept.  and  Oct.,  north 
in  April.  Frequents  dense  thickets  along 
walls  and  fences,  remaining  much  in  con- 
cealment. Song,  given  from  tree  tops,  be- 
gins with  an  abrupt  out  breast  of  melody, 
then  falls  and  rises  like  the  tinkling  of  fairy 
silver  bells  now  near  now  far,  producing 
one  of  the  most  exquisitely  beautiful  bird 
songs  heard  in  the  north  woods.  Nest,  on 
ground,  formed  of  moss,  etc. 

588.     LONG-BILLED  MARSH  WREN. 

Larger,  tail  much  rounded;  red-brown 
on    head,   darker  on    back;    line  over  eye, 


WKENS. 


Oil 


Fig.  405 


streaks  on  back  and  beneath,  white;  tail, 
barred  with  dusky,  wings  with  white,  fig. 
405.  Breeds  chiefly  east  of 
Alleghanies,  from  Va.  and  Md. 
north  to  western  N.  Y.  and 
Mass.;winters  from  N.  C.  south 
to  Fla.;  south  in  Sept.  and  Oct., 
north  in  May.  Frequents  very 
wet  marshes.  Nests  attached  to 
reeds,  grass  sterns  and  bushes. 
Song,  often  given  in  flight,  a 
bubbling  melody  rising  and 
falling;  sometimes  one  out- 
burst connected  with  next  by 
tinkling  notes.  Flight,  weak 

-,    n  .  Loner-billed 

and    fluttering.  Marsh  Wren. 

588.     MARIAN  MARSH  WREN. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  smaller, 
much  darker  and  more  heavily  banded. 
Breeds  on  coasts  of  Carolinas;  winters  in 
western  Fla. 


512  WREXS. 

589.     LOUISIANA  MARSH  WREN. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  smaller  and 
paler;  crown  with  median  stripe  often 
broad.  Coasts  of  La.  and  Tex. 

590.     WORTHINGTON    MARSH   WREN. 

Smallest  and  palest  of  the  Marsh  Wrens, 
being  quite  gray  with  white  streakings. 
Atlantic  coast  from  S.  C.  to  northern  Fla. 

Fig.  406 


Short-billed  Marsh  Wren. 

591.     PRAIRIE  MARSH  WREN. 

Differs  from  Long-billed  in  being  much 
more  rusty  brown  above  and  on  flanks. 
Great  Plains  and  Prairie  districts  of  Central 
U.  S.;  southward  in  winter  along  Gulf  coast 
to  western  Fla. 


WRENS.  513 

591.    SHORT-BILLED  MARSH  WREN. 

Differs  from  Long-billed  in  being  small- 
er and  in  having  top  of  head  as  well  as  back 
streaked  with  white,  fig.  406.  Breeds  in 
eastern  N.  A.  from  southern  N.  H.  and 
Manatoba  south  to  Gulf  Coast.  Frequents 

Fie.  407 


sedgy,  not  very  wet,  marshes  in  summer, 
dry  savannahs  in  winter.  Song,  an  off- 
repeated  tinkle  somewhat  like  the  sound 
produced  by  a  light  hammer  striking  an 
anvil  with  a  sharp  blow,  then  rebounding 
three  or  four  times,  never  given  on  wing; 


514 


WREXS. 


more  often  heard  during  cloudy  weather  or 
by  night. 

593.     BROWN  CREEPER. 

Small,  5. 50;  slender  with  long,  strongly 
curved   bill,  long  wings  and  tail  which  has 

.  4(8 


White-breasted  Nuthatch. 

pointed  feather  tips;  brown  above,  streaked 
with  white;  white  beneath;  rump,  rusty, 
fig.  407.  Breeds  in  eastern  N.  A.  from 
Mass,  north  into  British  Provinces,  south 
along  mountains  to  N.  C.;  winters  from  N. 
E.  to  Fla.;  south  in  Oct.,  north  in  April. 


NUTHATCHES.  515 

Frequents  open  woodlands,  groves  and  or- 
namental trees  everywhere.  Creeps  spirally 
up  trees,  than  drops  to  base  either  of  same 
tree  or  another  to  reascend.  Flight,  swift 
and  direct.  Usual  note,  a  thin  sharp  lisp; 
also  a  crackling  cry,  and  a  not  commonly 
heard  silvery,  tinkling  song. 

NUTHATCHES. 

Small  birds  with  straight  bills,  long 
wings  and  short  tails.  Climb  trees  some- 
thing like  Woodpeckers,  but  descend  head 
downwards.  Nests  in  cavities  often  excavated 
by  the  birds;  eggs  white,  spotted. 

594.     WHITE-BREASTED    NUTHATCH. 

Large,  6;  blue-gray  above;  top  of  head 
and  hind  neck,  black;  beneath,  white,  fig. 
408.  Female,  with  crown  blue  like  back. 
Breeds  throughout  eastern  U.  S.  into  Pro- 
vinces, south  to  northern  N.  C.  west  to  Great 
Plains,  chiefly  resident.  Frequents  wood- 
lands, orchards,  and  ornamental  trees.  Usual 
call,  a  harsh  each,  also  an  interrupted  series 


516 


NUTHATCHES. 

Fig.  409 


Red-breasted  Nuthatch,  < 


NUTHATCHES.  517 

of   calls    Driven    in    a    rather    minor    tone, 
suggesting  the  familiar  call  of  Flicker. 

595.     FLORIDA  WHITE-BREASTED 
NUTHATCH. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  smaller  and 
darker.  Female,  head  black  or  nearly  so. 
Fla.  west  along  Gulf  coast  to  Miss. 

596.     CAROLINA  NUTHATCH. 

Differs  from  last  in  .being  a  little  lighter 
with  the  red  of  sides  not  as  extended.  Fe- 
male with  crown  very  slightly  obscured  with 
plumbeous.  Coast  region  of  the  Carolinas. 
Described  in  Records  of  Walks  and  Talks 
with  Nature,  Vol.  VIII,  Jan.  12,  1916. 

597.     RED-BREASTED  NUTHATCH. 

Smaller  than  L^st,  4.50;  differs  other- 
wise in  having  a  black  line  through  eye, 
broadening  out  behind  it,hind  neck  like  back 
and  strongly  tinged  with  red-brown  beneath, 
fig.  409.  Female  has  head  line  bluish  and 
is  lighter  below,  fig.  410.  Breeds  in  forests 


518 


NUTHATCHES. 

Fig.  410 


Red-breasted  Nuthatch.  ?. 


KINGLETS.  519 

of  northern  N.  A.  from  Mass,  to  Labrador; 
south  along  higher  Alleghanies  to  N.  C.; 
winters  from  Mass,  to  extreme  southern 
States;  south  in  Aug.,  Sept.  and  Oct.,  north 
in  April.  Notes,  quite  different  from  White- 
breasted,  more  clear,  like  the  tooting  of  an 
elf  en  horn.  Found  nearly  everywhere, 
but  most  common  in  woodlands. 

598.     BROWN-HEADED  NUTHATCH. 

Small,  4;  differs  from  last  in  absence 
of  line  through  eye,  brown  head  and  nape 
and  white  under  pasts.  Sexes,  similar,  fig. 
411.  Resident  in  pine  belt  from  southern 
Del.  to  Tex.,  casually  north  to  N.  Y.,  Mich., 
etc.;  Great  Bahama  Island.  Note,  a  harsh, 
solemnly  given  each,  often  repeated.  Gre- 
garious. 

KINGLETS. 

Very  small  arboreal  birds,  with  deeply 
notched  tails;  crown,  with  a  brightly-colored 
spot;  wring  with  single  band  of  white  in 
dark  area.  Globular  nests  in  trees;  eggs, 
spotted. 


520 


NUTHATCHES. 

Fior      411 


Brown-headed  Nuthatch. 


KINGLETS.  521 

599.     GOLDEN-CROWNED  KINGLET. 

3.50;  gray-green  above,  white  beneath; 
top  of  head,  orange,  with  yellow  and  black 
line  on  either  side,  fig.  412.  Female,  has 
crown  between  black  lines  yellow,  fig.  413. 
Young,  has  yellow  replaced  by  gray,  fig.  414. 
Breeds  from  northern  N.  E.,  northern  N.  Y. 
and  northern  Mich,  north  to  Labrador; 
rarely  south  to  Mass,  and  regularly  along 
Alleghanies  to  N.  C.;  winters  from  Mass,  to 
northern  Fla.  Found  everywhere,  most 
commonly  in  evergreen  woods.  Restless 
flitting  constantly  about,  often  flicking 
wings.  Song,  a  rather  feeble,  lisping  trill; 
alarm,  a  feeble  lisp. 

600.     RUBY-CROWNED  KINGLET. 

Differs  from  last  in  absence  of  black 
line  on  head;  male  with  partly  concealed 
ruby  spot  on  crown,  fig.  415;  absent  in  fe- 
male, fig.  416.  Breeding  range  in  east, 
similar  to  last,  but  winters  further  south  to 
southern  Fla.  and  Mex.,  rarely  in  Mass.; 


522 


Golden-crowned  Kinglet, 


THRUSHES.  523 

south  in  Sept.  and  Oct.,  north  in  April. 
Song  begins  with  a  few  lisping  notes,  runs 
into  a  clear,  high  warble,  remarkably  loud 
for  size  of  bird.  Occurs  mostly  in  woodlands. 

601.     BLUE-GRAY  GNATCATCHER. 

Larger,  4.75;  blue-gray  above,  bluish- 
white  below;  U-shaped  line  on  forehead, 
black;  patch  on  either  side  of  tail,  white, 
fig.  417.  Breeds  from  N.  J.  west  to  north- 
ern Mich.,  south  to  Gulf  States;  casual  in 
N.  E.  and  Minn.;  winters  in  Gulf  States, 
Bahamas  and  West  Indies.  Nest  in  trees, 
hung  from  fork  of  limb,  lichen-covered; 
eggs,  spotted.  Call  note,  see  see,  lispingly 
given;  song,  a  low,  tinkling,  silvery  warble. 
Very  restless  and  active. 

THRUSHES. 

Well  proportioned  Singing  Perchers  of 
wide  distribution  and  fine  powers  of  song; 
eggs,  blue-green. 


524 


THRUSHES. 


602.     WOOD  THRUSH. 

Large,  8. 25;  red-brown  above,  brightest 
on  head;  white  beneath,  marked  everywhere 


Golden-crowned  Kinglet.  $  . 

with   large,  round   spots  of   black,  fig.  418. 
Breeds  in  eastern  U.  S.  from  Va.  and  Kan., 


KINGLETS. 


Fig.  414 


Golden-crowned  Kinglet,  young. 


526  THRUSHES. 

north  to  Canada;  south  in  Sept.,  north  in 
May.  Frequents  wooded  glens.  Song,  loud, 
clear  and  bell-like,  tru-ral  lu  tru-ral  lee, 
varied  with  lower  notes;  alarm,  a  harsh, 
stuttering  cry.  Nests  in  trees;  eggs,  un- 
spotted. 

415 


Ruby-crowned  Kinglet,  $.     1-4. 

603.  HERMIT  THRUSH. 
Smaller,  7;  differs  from  last  in  being 
more  tawny  above,  brightest  on  tail,  white 
beneath,  tinged  with  cream  on  breast,  spots 
triangular  and  confined  to  breast;  eye-ring, 
creamy,  fig.  419.  Breeds  in  eastern  N.  A. 
from  Mass.,  northern  Alleghanies  and  north- 
ern Mich,  northward;  winters  from  southern 
N.  E.  south  to  Fla.;  south  in  Oct.,  north  in 


527 


Ruby-crowued  Kinglet,  $. 


528  TlIRUfcHES. 

April.  Song,  the  most  finished  of  that  of 
all  our  birds.  There  are  four  strains:  1,  Oh 
tivee  twee  twee,  clear  and  high;  2,  E.  twter 
twter  twter,  lower  but  pure;  3,  Oh  phera 
phera  phera,  lower  in  tone  almost  pathetic 
in  terminal  note,  all  prolonged;  4,  E.  che  te 
wete,  softly  given,  often  whispered.  The 
above  is  the  order  in  which  the  complete" 

Fig.  417 


Blue-gray  Unatcatcher.     1-4. 

song  is  given,  but  strains  are  frequently 
omitted.  Alarm,  a  whistled  chuck.  Fre- 
quents woodlands.  Nests  on  ground;  eggs, 
unspotted. 

604.     OLIVE-BACKED  THRUSH. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  uniform  olive 
above,  strongly  tinged  on  head  and  eye-ring 
with  rufous,  spots  beneath  broadly  trian- 


THRUSHES.  529 

gular  and  not  as  prominent,  fig.  420.  Breeds 
in  eastern  N.  A.  northward;  winters  in  S. 
A.;  south  in  Sept.  and  Oct..  north  in  April 
and  May.  Song,  tru-ral  ru-ral  lee,  a  varia- 
tion is.  ru-ral-e-ral  e-e;  both  given  with  a 
very  thrush -like  intonation;  alarm,  a  short 
liquid  quit  and  one  like  pit,  moie  quickly 
given.  Nests  in  bushes;  eggs,  spotted. 

605.  GRAY-CHEEKED  THRUSH. 
Differs  from  last  in  having  side  of  head 
and  eye-ring  gray,  and  little  or  no  tinging 
on  breast.  Breeds  in  northern  N.  A.  from 
Newfoundland,  north  to  Arctic;  winters  in 
Central  America;  south  in  Sept.  and  Oct., 
north  in  May.  Frequents  woodlands  and 
copses.  Song,  as  heard  in  West  Newton, 
Mass.,  in  spring;  almost  exactly  like  that  of 
Veery,  but  lower. 

606.     BICKNELL  THRUSH. 
Differs   from    last    in    being    smaller. 
Breeds  on  higher  mountains  of  northeastern 
States  and  Nova  Scotia.     Migration  as  in 


530 


T1IKUS1IKS. 


last.  Song,  as  heard  on  Mt.  Graylock. 
May  29,  1910,  wher  re  re  e;  one  bird  song, 
whee  er  rel  re,  all  given  in  about  the  same 
time  as  the  Olive-back.  A  preliminary  note 

Fie.  418 


Wood  Thrush. 


to   the   sons:  .was   a   very   liquid  pit\  some- 
times pit  cree  was  given,  possibly  by  female. 

WILSON  THRUSH. 


Size  of  Hermit;  reddish  tawny  above, 
white  beneath;  eye- ring  sides  of  head  and 


THRUSHES.  531 

breast,  pale-buff;  spots  confined  to  upper 
breast  and  very  pale,  fig.  421.  Breeds  from 
northern  N.  J.  west  to  northern  Mich., 
north  into  British  Provinces,  winters  chiefly 
south  of  U.  S.  Song,  a  series  of  fife-like 
notes,  beginning  softly,  gradually  decreasing 
in  volume,  and  ending:  imperceptibly;  alarm 

Fig.  419 


it 

Hermit  Thrush. 

a  loudly  whistled  pheu.     Nests  on  ground; 
eggs,  unspotted. 

608.     NEWFOUNDLAND  THRUSH. 

Differs  from  last  in  being  paler  above 
and  more  indistinctly  spotted  below.  Breeds 
in  Newfoundland. 


532  TIIKU8I1ES. 

609.     WILLOW  THRUSH. 

Differs  from  Wilson  in  being  duller 
above;  markings  below,  darker.  Interior 
of  U.  S.  and  British  Provinces,  east  to  Wis. 
and  111.,  Ind.,  casually  to  S.  C. 


Olive-backed  Thrush. 

010.     RED-WINGED  THRUSH. 

Larger,  8.50,  brown  above;  line  over 
eye,  stripes  on  throat  and  middle  portions 
below,  white;  sides  and  flanks,  reddish; 
breast  streaked  with  black.  Northern 
Europe  and  Asia;  accidental  in  Greenland. 


THRUSHES. 


-  o  •••> 
OOO 


611.  AMERICAN  ROBIN. 
Larger,  10,  gray  above;  top  of  head, 
black;  golden  brown  beneath;  throat,  white, 
streaked  with  black;  bill,  .yellow,  fig.  422. 
Female,  duller.  Nestlings,  spotted  with 
black  above  and  below.  Breeds  in  eastern 


Wilson  Thrush. 

N.  A.  from  Atlantic  to  Rockies  north  of  N. 
C.;  winters  from  Canada  to  Gulf  States, 
south  in  Oct.  and  Nov.,  north  in  March  and 
April.  Found  everywhere.  Song,  loud  and 
hurridly  given;  variable,  but  a  usual  form 
is  chip  cherry  chip,  with  other  notes,  a  single 


534 


THRUSHES. 


sharp  whistle  of  inquirey.  Young,  when 
fully  fledged,  give  a  practicing  song  similar 
to  adult;  uttered  with  closed  bill,  and  thus 
low  and  muffled.  Nests  in  trees  and  bushes. 


Fiff.  422 


American  Robin. 

sometimes  within  buildings  or  about  them- 
eggs,  unspotted. 

612.     CAROLINA  ROBIN. 

Similar  to  last,  but  smaller,  paler  and 
duller.    Young,  less  heavily  spotted.    Breeds 


WllKATEAK.  535 

in  S.  C.  and  northern  Mich.,  north   to  Md. 
and  southern  111. 

613.     TOWNSEND  SOLITAIRE. 

Smaller  than  last,  plain  brown-gray, 
two  red-buff  patches  on  wing  with  a  darker 
intervening  space;  tail  with  small  white 
spots,  at  tip.  Mountains  of  western  N.  A., 
accidental  in  111. 

614.     GREENLAND  WHEATEAR. 

Smaller,  6.50,  ashy-gray  above;  term- 
inal third  of  tail,  black;  remainder  with  tail 
coverts,  forehead,  line  over  eye,  and  lower 
parts  behind,  \vhite;  otherwise,  plain  buff 
below;  patch  on  side  of  head,  black.  Breeds 
in  Iceland,  Greenland  and  Labrador,  strag- 
gling south  to  Nova  Scotia,  Me.,  Mass.,  N. 
Y.  and  Bermuda,  accidental  in  La.;  winters 
in  northern  Africa,  Labrador  birds  reaching 
winter  quarters  via  Greenland  and  the 
British  Isles. 


536  BLUEBIRDS. 

615.     BLUEBIRD. 

Larger,  7,  blue  above;  breast  and  sides, 
cinnamon-brown;  remaining  lower  parts, 
white,  fig.  423.  Female,  duller.  Nestlings 
spotted  above  wTith  white  and  wholy  white 

Fig.  4^3 


Bluebird. 

below,  streaked  writh  red-browrn.  Breeds 
from  Ga.  north  to  British  Provinces,  west 
to  Rockies;  winters  from  Middle  States  to 
Gulf  Coast;  south  in  Oct.  and  Nov.,  north 
in  Feb.  and  March.  Frequents  open  country. 
Call  song  of  three  notes,  often  repeated, 


BLUEBIRDS.  537 

cheer~e-ly,  given  by  both  sexes  and  young; 
song  by  male,  a  low,  sweet  warble,  uttered 
sometimes  in  flight  or  when  perched  with 
fluttering  wings.  Catches  insects  on  ground, 
but  flies  to  perch  to  eat  them.  Flight, 
rather  indirect  and  wabbly.  Nests  in  holes 
of  trees  or  in  boxes;  eggs,  pale  blue,  usually 
unspotted. 

616.     FLORIDA  BLUEBIRD. 

Deeper  in  color  above  and  below  than 
last.     Resident  in  Fla. 


538  APPENDIX. 


Appendix 


The  following  species,  chiefly  accidental  visitors, 
should  be  included  as  birds  of  our  section. 

EARED  GREBE. 

About  the  .size  of  Horned  Grebe,  but  bill  smaller. 
Conspicuous  cinnamon  ear  tufts  in  adult.  Young  and 
winter  plumage,  scarcely  different.  Western  U.  8. ;  casual 
in  Indiana. 

SHORT-BILLED  GULL. 

Differs  from  Ring-billed  Gull  in  being  darker  above; 
no  band  on  bill,  which  is  green,  with  tip  yellow,  and 
shorter.  Difficult  to  distinguish  in  field  in  young  stages. 

PINTADO  PETREL. 

Large,  15;  head,  wings,  tip  of  tail  and  mottlings  on 
back,  black;  otherwise,  including  patch  on  wing,  white. 
Southern  Oceans,  accidental  off  coast  of  Me. 

ALLIED  SHEARWATER. 

Smaller  than  Audubon  Shearwater,  with  black  of 
head  not  extending  below  eye.  Australian  seas;  acci- 
dental on  Sable  Island,  N.  S. 


APPENDIX.  539 


HAWAIIAN  PETREL. 

Similar  to  Leach  Petral,  but  with  tail  less  forked. 
Pacific  Ocean  ;  accidental  in  Ind.  and  District  of  Columbia. 

RUDDY  SHELDRAKE. 

Size  and  general  color  of  Mallard,  but  with  a  knob  at 
base  of  bill.  Old  world;  accidental  in  Greenland. 

BEAN  GOOSE. 

Size  of  white-fronted  Goose,  but  differs  in  having  an 
orange  band  on  middle  of  bin.  in  being  darker  without 
white  on  face,  or  black  spots  on  breast;  legs  and  feet, 
orange.  Old  World;  accidental  in  Greenland. 

PINK-FOOTED  GOOSE. 

Differs  from  last  in  being:  smaller.  28:  patch  on  bend 
of  wing,  gray:  upper  mandible,  pink  in  center.  Old 
world;  accidental  in  Greenland. 

WAYNE  CLAPPER  RAIL. 

Scarcely  to  be  distinguished  from  Clapper  Rail  in  the 
field.  Salt  marshes  of  Atlantic  coast  from  N.  C.  to  Fla. 

HUDSONIAN  SPRUCE  PARTRIDGE. 

Similar  to  Spruce  Grouse,  but  darker.  Labrador  and 
westward  in  same  latitude. 

BERMUDA  GROUND  DOVE. 

Similar  to  Bahama  Ground  Dove,  but  smaller  and 
with  bill  wholly  black.  Bermuda. 


540  APPENDIX. 


GROOVED-BILLED  ANI 

Bill  grooved,  scarcely  different  in  field  from  Ani,  S.  A. , 
north  to  Tex;  casual  in  Fla. 

FLORIDA  CROW. 

Bill  larger  than  in  Crow,  difference  in  Held  almost 
inperceptable.  Florida. 

HOODED  CROW. 

Differs  from  Crow  in  being  gray  on  back  and  under 
parts.  Europe:  casual  in  Greenland. 

ROOK. 

Resembles  Crow,  but  differs  in  having  no  feathers 
about  base  of  bill,  where  skin  is  whitish.  Europe; 
accidental  in  Greenland. 

CLARK  NUTCRACKER. 

Size  of  Blue  Jay;  bill,  longer  and  pointed;  gray 
wings,  and  tail  black:  patch  on  former  and  outer  feathers 
of  latter,  white.  Western  N.  A. ;  accidental  in  Wisconsin. 


INDEX. 


541 


Index 


Albatrosses  43 

Albatross,  yellow-nosed  43 

Anhinga  78 

Anhingas  78 

Ani  310 

grooved- billed  540 
Auk,  razor-billed  25 
Auks,  murres,  puffins,  etc. 

24 

Avocet.  american  133 
Avocets  and  stilts  133 
Baldpate231 

Bananaquit,  bahama  428 
Bittern,  american  200 
cory  202 
least  201 
Brant  259 

black  261 
Blackbird,  brewer  366 

red-winged  359 

rusty  366 

yellow-headed  365 
Bobolink  371 
Bobwhite  265 

florida  266 
Bufflehead  244 


Bunting,  black-throated  372 
lark  404 
painted  425 
snow  404 
varied  426 

Buzzard,  european  293 
Canvas-back  240 
Caracara,  audubon  299 
Catbird  504 

Key  West  505 
Chat,  yellow-breasted  476 
Chats  474 

Chickadee,  acadian  353 
black-capped  351 
Carolina  352 
florida  353 
hudsonian  353 
townsend  354 
Chuck-will's-widow  326 
Coot  222 

european  223 
Coots  222 
Cormorant,  76 

double-crested  77 
florida  77 
mexican  77 


542 


INDEX. 


Cormorants  73 
Cowbird  369 
Crake,  corn  219 

spoiled  218 
Crane,  little 
brown  212 
sand-hill  212 
whooping  212 
Cranes  211 
Creeper,  brown  514 
Crossbill,  american  417 

white-winged  418 
Crow  355 
florida  540 
fish  356 
hooded  540 
Crows  355 

Cuckoo,  black-billed,  312 
mangrove  312 
maynard  312 
yellow-billed  311 
Cuckoos  310 
Curlew,  esquimo  184 
hudsonian  183 
long-billed  183 
Dove,  bahama  ground  275 
bermuda  ground  539 
blue-headed  partridge  276 
ground  275 
mourning  273 
ruddy  quail  276 
zanaida  274 
Dovekie  34 
Dowitcher  144 

long-billed  147 
Duck,  black  229 
florida  black  230 
fulvous  tree  261 
harlequin  247 
Iabrador246 


Duck,  masked  254 

red-legged  black  229 
ruddy  252 
rinjrneck  242 
steller249 
wood  237 

Ducks,  geese,  and  swans  223 
Ducks,  river  227 

sea  239 
Dunlin  162 
Eagle,  bald  297 
golden  296 
gray  sea  298 
northern  bald  298 
Egret,  changing  205 
peal  205 
reddish  205 
snowy  204 

Eider,  american  248 
King  249 
northern  248 
Falcon,  prairie  289 
Finch,  purple  408 
Flamingo,  american  263 
Flamingos  262 
Flicker  225 
boreal  225 
northern  225 
Flycatcher,  alder  342 
crested  336 
fork-tailed  333 
green-crested  342 
least  340 
olive-sided  340 
sissor-tailed  334 
trail  342 

yellow-bellied  343 
vermillion  344 
Frigate  birds  80 
Fulmar.  44 


INDEX. 


543 


Fulmar,  lesser  45 
Fulmars  44 
Gadwall  230 
Galinule,  florida  220 

purple  221 
Gallinules219 
Gannet  66 

blue-faced  66 
booby  69 
red-faced  69 
Gannets  65 
Geese  254 

Gnatcatcher,  blue  gray  523 
Goatsuckers  326 
God  wit,  black -tailed  183 
hudsonian  182 
marbled  180 
Golden-eye  242 

barrow  243 
Goldfinch,  american  414 

european  416 

Goose,  am.  white-fronted  256 
barnacle  259 
bean  535 
blue  254 
cackling  259 
canada  257 
greater  snow  255 
hutchinefs  259 
lesser  snow  255 
pink-footed  535 
white-fronted  256 
Goshawk  291 

mexican  291 
Grackle,  boat-tailed  368 
bronzed  366 
florida  368 
purple  367 

Grassquit.  bahama  427 
melodious  427 


Grebe,  eared  538 
holboel!8 
horned  9 
pied  billed  12 
Grebes  6 
Greenshanks  172 
Grosbeak,  black-headed  422 
blue  424 

Canadian  pine  410 
cardinal  423 
evening  419 
Florida  cardinal  423 
rose-breasted  420 
Grouse,  quail,  etc.  265 
Grouse,  canada  266 

Canadian  ruffed  267 
prairie  sharp-tailed  271 
ruffed  267 
thayer  ruffed  267 
Guillemot,  black  32 

mandt  34 

Gull,  american  herring  95 
bonaparte  102 
franklin  102 
glaucous  93 
£reat  black-backed  92 
herring  94 
iceiand  96 
ivory  89 
kittewake  89 
kumlein  96 
laughing  99 
little  104 
meu99 
ring-billed  97 
ross  104 
sabine  105 
short-billed  538 
Siberian  93 
Gulls.  87 


544 


INDEX. 


Gulls,  coast  91 

hooded  99 
Gyrfalcon  284 
black  285 
gray  284 
white  283 
Hawk,  broad-winged  295 

cooper  290 

cuban  sparrow  289 

duck  286 

ferrugineous  296 

florid  ared-shouldered  294 

harland  293 

krider  292 

little  sparrow  289 

marsh  282 

pigeon  286 

red-shouldered  293 

red-tailed  291 

rough-leerged  296 

sharp-shinned  290 

short-tailed  295 

sparrow  288 

swainson  295 

western  red-tailed  293 
Hawks,  Eagles,  etc.  280 
Hen.  heath  271 

prairie  270 

Heron,  black-crowned  night 
209 

european  blue  204 

great  blue  203 

great  white  202 

green  208 

little  blue  207 

louisiana  207 

wurdeman  202 

ward  203 

white  204 

yellow-crowned  night  209 


Herons  199 

Hummingbird,  ruby-throat- 
ed 330 

Hummingbirds  330 
Ibis,  glossy  199 
scarlet  198 
white  197 

white-faced  glossy  199 
wood  211 
Indigo  bird  424 
Jaeger,  long-tailed  87 
parasitic  86 
pomerine  85 
Jay.  blue  348 
canada  350 
rlorida  349 
florida.  blue  349 
labrador  350 
J  unco  387 

Carolina  388 
gray-headed  389 
montana  389 
Kestrel  289 
Kingbird  334 

arkansas  336 
gray  335 

Kingfisher,  belted  330 
Kingfishers  330 
Kinglet,  golden-crowned  521 

ruby-crowned  521 
Kinglets  519 
Kite,  everglade  282 
mississippi  281 
swallow-tailed  281 
white-tailed  282 
Knot  149 
Lapwing  185 
Land  birds  264 
Lark,  florida  meadow  359 
horned  345 


1XDEX. 


545 


Lark,  meadow  358 
hoyt  horned  347 
prairie  horned  346 
sky  345 

western  meadow  359 
Larks  345 
Limpkin  213 
Linnet,  brewster  413 
Lougspur,  chestnut-collared 
407 

lapland  406 
mccown  408 
smith  406 
Loon  17 

black-throated  23 
red-throated  20 
Loons  15 

Magpie,  american  348 
Magpies  and  Jays  347 
Mallard  227 
Man  o'war  bird  81 
Martin,  cuban  484 
floiida  483 
purple  483 

Merganser,  american  224 
hooded  226 
red-breasted  225 
Mergansers  224 
Merlin  287 

richardson  287 
Mockingbird  5U3 
Mockingbirds   and  Thrash- 
ers 503 
Murre  27 

brunnich  30 
ringed  30 

Murrelet.  ancient  41 
Nighthawk  328 
rlorida  328 
howell  329 


Noddie  125 
Nutcracker,  clark  540 
Nuthatch,    brown-headed 
519 

llorida  white  breasted 

517 

Carolina  white-breast- 
ed 517 

red-breasted  517 
white-breasted  515 
Nuthatches  515 
Old  Squaw  244 
Oriole,  baltimore  362 
bullock  363 
orchard  364 
Orioles  357 
Osprey  298 

Owl,  arctic  horned  306 
barn  302 
barred  303 
burrowing  309 
dusky  horned  306 
rlorida  barred  3U2 
florida  burrowing  308 
rlorida  screech  307 
great  gray  304 
great  horned  305 
hawk  308 
long-eared  304 
labrador  horned  306 
richardson,  addenda 550 
saw  whet  305 
screech  307 
short-eared  305 
snowy  309 
Owls  302 
Ovenbird  477 
Oystercatcher  195 

european  196 
Paroquet,  norida  300 


546 


INDEX. 


Paroquet,  western  301 
Parrots,  etc.  300 
Partridge,  hudsonian  spruce 

539 
Pelican,  brown  72 

white  71 
Pelicans  69 
Perchers,  singing  344 

song  less  333 
Petrel,  black-capped  53 
bulwer  54 
hawaiian  535 
leach  55 
pintado  535 
scaled  54 
stormy  54 
white-beilied  58 
white-faced  58 
wilson  56 
Pewee.  wood  339 
Phalarope.  northern  132 
red  130 
wilson  131 
Phoebe  337 
say  339 

Pigeon,  passenger  272 
white-crowned  272 
Pigeons  272 
Pintail  236 
Pipit  481 
meadow  481 
sprague  482 

Plover,  belted  piping  192 
black-bellied  186 
european  golden  188 
golden  187 
killdeer  188 
mountain  193 
piping  191 
ring  191 


Plover,  semipalmated  189 

wilson  192 

Ptarmigan,  alien  269 
reinhart  270 
rock  269 
welch  270 
willow  269 
Puffin  36 

large-billed  39 
tufted  39 
Kail,  black  219 
clapper  216 
rlorida  clapper  217 
king  215 

louisiana  clapper  217 
sora  217 
Virginia  215 
wayne  clapper  536 
yellow  218 
Rails,  gallinules  and  coots 

314 

Raven,  northern  356 
Redhead  239 
Redpoll  410 

greenland  412 
hoary  412 
holboell  412 
Redwing,  bahama  360 
florida  360 
northern  361 
Redstart  474 
Robin  533 

Carolina  534 
Rook  540 
Ruff  177 
Sanderling  167 
Sandpipers,  baird  157 
bartramian  177 
buff-breasted  178 
cooper  156 


INDEX. 


547 


Sandpipers,  curlew  162 

green  174 

least  158 

pecroral  153 

purple  151 

red-backed  160 

semipalmated  163 

solitary  172 

sported  179 

stilr  147 

western  166 

white-rumped  155 
Sandpipers,  etc  .  etc.  142 
Sapsucker.  yellow-bellied 

"  314 
Scaup  240 

lesser  241 
Scotor  250 
surf  251 
velvet  251 
white-winded  250 
Shearwater,  allied  538 

audubon  49 

cory  49 

greater  45 

manx  51 

sooty  51 
Shearwaters  45 
Sheldrake,  ruddy  539 
Shore  birds  128 
Shoveller  235 
Shrike,  loggerhead  494 
northern  493 
northern  loggerhead  495 
Shrikes  493 
Siskin,  pine  414 
Skimmer,  black  127 
Skimmers  126 
Skua  85 
Skuas  and  jaegers  84 


Smew  227 

Snipe,  european  142 

wiison  140 
Sora2l7 
Sparrow,  acadian  sharp- tail 

400 

bach  man  390 

brewer  378 

chipping  373 

clay-colored  377 

dusky  seaside  398 

field  376 

fisher  seaside  398 

florida  grasshopper  392 

fox  384 

golden-crowned  380 

grasshopper  392 

harris  380 

henslow  393 

ipswich  401 

lark  403 

leconte  395 

lincoln  381 

macgiliiverys  seaside 
397 

nelson  399 

pine  wood  389 

savannah  400 

scotts  seaside  397 

seaside  395 

sharp-tailed  399 

song*  381 

southern  grasshopper 
392 

swamp  383 

tree  374 

western  field  376 

white  crowned  379 

white-throated  378 

vesper  402 


548 


INDEX. 


Sparrows  and  finches  372 
Spoonbill,  roseate  196 
Spoonbills  and  ibises  196 
Starling  357 
Stilt,  black-necked  135 
Swallow,  barn  488 
bahama  488 
bank  485 
cliff  484 
cuban  cliff  485 
european  489 
rough-winged  486 
tree  487 
Swallows  482 
Swan,  trumpeter  262 
whistling  262 
whooping  2€2 
Swans  261 
Swimmers,  tube-nosed  42 

long-winged  82 
Swift,  chimney  329 
Swifts  329 

Tanager,  louisiana  492 
scarlet  491 
summer  492 
Tartaorers  491 
Teal,  blue-winged  233 
cinnamon  234 
european  233 
green-winced  232 
Tern,  arctic  115 
black  123 
bridled  121 
cabot  110 
Caspian  108 
common  111 
forster  114. 
gull-billed  107 
least  119 
noddy  125 


Tern,  roseate  117 
royal  110 
sooty  122 
trudean  111 

white  winged  black  124 
Terns,  dusky  backed  120 
pale  backed  111 
short  tailed  121 
Thrasher,  brown  505 
Thrush,  bickneil.  529 

gray-cheeked  529 

grinnel  water  479 

hermit  526 

louisiana  water  478 

newfoundland  531 

olive-backed  528 

red-winged  532 

water  478 

willow  530 

wilson  532 

wood  524 

varied,  addenda  550 
Thrushes  524 
Titmice  351 
Titmouse,  tufted  353 
Totipalmate.  swimmers  58 
Towhee.  arctic  387 

green-railed  387 

red-eyed  385 

white-eyed  386 
Tropic  bird,  red-billed  65 

yellow-billed  62 
Tropic  birds  59 
Troupial  362 
Turkey,  florida  278 

wild  277 
Turkeys  277 
Turnstone  194 
Vireo.  bell  502 

black-whiskered  496 


IXDEX. 


•549 


Vireo,  burmudan  502 
key  west  502 
mountain  500 
philadelpia  497 
plumbeous  500 
red-eyed  496 
solitary  500 
warbling  497 
white-eyed  501 
yellow-green  498 
yellow-throated  499 
Vireos  495 
Vulture,  black  279 

turkey  279 
Vultures  278 
Wagtail,  white  480 
Wagtails,  wood  477 
Warbler,  audubon  433 

bachman  459 

bay-breasted  441 

black  and  white  429 

blackburnean  442 

black-polled  440 

black  throated  blue  431 

black-throated  green 
443 

blue  winged  457 

brewster  455 

Canadian  472 

cape  may  434 

cairn  432 

cerulean  436 

chestnut-sided  438 

Connecticut  466 

iiorida  pine  447 

golden-winged  455 

hooded  470 

kentucky  464 

kirtland  446 

lawrence  457 


Warbler,  magnolia  435 

mourn  in  or  467 

myrtle  432 

nashville  459 

northern  parula  453 

orange-crowned  459 

palm  -i48 

paruia  453 

pine  457 

prairie  450 

prothonotary  461 

swainson  4(J4 

sycamore  431 

tennessee  461 

townsend  445 

western  parula  455 

wilson  471 

worm-eating  463 

yellow  451 

yellow  palm  449 

yellow-throated  430 
Warblers,  american  429 
Water  birds  5 
Waxwing,  bohemian  490 

cedar  489 

Wheatear,  green  land  535 
Whip-poor-will  327 
Whiinbrell  185 
Widgeon  231 
Willet  175 

western  176 
Woodcock,  american  137 

european  140 
Woodcock  and  Snipe  136 
Woodpecker,  american 

three-toed  321 

arctic  three-toed  320 
cockaded  319 
downy  319 
florida  piieated  323 


530 


INDEX. 


Woodpecker,  hairy  317 
ivory- hi  lied  321 
newfounaland  318 
northern  downy  319 
northern  hairy  317 
northern  pileated  323 
pileated  322 
red-bellied  315 
red-headed  316 
southern  downy  318 
southern  hairy  318 

Woodpeckers  313 

Wood  wagtails  477 

Wren,  bewick  508 
carolioa  507 
llorida  507 


Wren,  h^use  508 

long-billed  marsh  510 
louisiana  marsh  512 
raarian  marsh  511 
prairie  marsh  512 
short-billed  marsh  513 
western  house  509 
winter  510 
wonhington  marsh  512 

Wrens  506 

Yellow  legs,  greater  168 
lesser  171 

Yellow  throat,  maryland 

468 

northern  469 
southern  470 


ADDENDA. 

RICHARDSON  OWL— 

Larger  than  Saw-whet  Owl,  9,  and  differs  in  color  in 
being  darker  and  in  having  five  lines  of  white  spots  on 
tail.  Breeds  from  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence  northward,  rarely 
wandering  South  in  winter  into  northern  U.  S. 

VARIED  THRUSH— 

Differs  from  Robin  in  absence  of  black  on  crown  and 
streak  on  throat  with  wing  bands,  line  over  and  behind 
eye.  and  beneath  brownish  yellow;  band  across  breast, 
patch  on  sides  of  head,  black.  Pacific  coast,  accidental  in 
N.J.,N.  Y.  and  Mass. 

CORRECTIONS:  page  307.  3rd  line  from  bottom,  for 
FLOUDA,  read  FLORIDA. 

Page  362,  first  line,  for  TROPICAL  read  TROUPIAL. 


T HE    END. 


THIS 


WIL 
THIS 
WILL  . 
DAY     AJ 
OVERDUE. 


BlOc 


ST  377900 

nit ho logy  . 


NOV  19   t;;J  (&*&' 
UIN  17 19*2 


CL681 


SEP  27  193J 


V 

377900 

BIOLOGY    . 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


